Walker masterclass enough for Roosters to hold off desperate Dolphins

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Dolphins v Sydney Roosters

The Roosters have held off a fast-finishing Dolphins in a 74-point thriller, to run out 40-34 winners in front of a pack house at HBF Park in Perth tonight.

Roosters number seven Sam Walker was superb for the Tricolours scoring two tries and having a hand in two more, as well as kicking 8 goals in a breathtaking performance.

Redcliffe were brave but will rue a number of simple errors and missed opportunities, particularly when Joey Manu was sent to the Sin Bin late in the match. The loss sees the Dolphins cling to the Top 8, after being firmly entrenched for the majority of the season.

Redcliffe brought the game to a packed house in Perth and were struggling to name 17 players after Tevita Pangai was ruled out with injury pre-match and named 18th man.

It was the Roosters who got the jump though through Joseph Suaalii who opened the scoring following some neat work by his halves in Luke Keary and Walker and the Blues centre powered over three defenders to score. The Tricolours meant business with another try minutes later when Sam Walker caught Dolphins custodian Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow out of position, producing a chip over the top to regather and extend the lead to 12-0 after as many minutes.

The Dolphins needed to strike back quickly before the game got out of hand and they did so through Max Plath who burrowed over from dummy half close to the line to get his side on the scoreboard at 12-6.

A poor penalty from the Dolphins piggy backed the Roosters downfield, when Sam Walker scored a double with another chip and chase into the in goal to win the race and take the ascendency for the Roosters.

Despite the fast start from the Tricolours, Redcliffe managed to hang tough with Felise Kaufusi crashing over close to the line following a neat pass by Max Plath. Redcliffe then amazingly made it back-to-back tries through Jamayne Isaako who finished off some slick hands from Jake Averillo to get his side back in contention.

The Roosters were then awarded a penalty in front and with halftime nearing, Sam Walker regained the lead for the Roosters with a simple penalty goal.

Then just before the siren sounded, James Tedesco was penalised for running behind his own man and Jamayne Isaako levelled the scores to make it 20 all at halftime.

In a role reversal of the first half, it was the Dolphins who flew out of the blocks when Jake Averillo burst through to link with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who then raced away to give the Dolphins the lead for the first time in the match.

The tennis continued, as the Roosters returned serve through Daniel Tupou who scored down the left-hand side following a superb offload from Angus Crichton to make it 26 all with over half an hour remaining.

Redcliffe then gave away an obstruction penalty which gifted the Roosters field position and it proved crucial, as makeshift Roosters centre Sitili Tupouniua dived over to score in the corner. Tupouniua had a second try minutes later following a break from Daniel Tupou and the Roosters went from six points down to lead by twelve.

The Roosters were then gifted a penalty against Jamayne Isaako for taking out Sam Walker after kicking, which was a poor call from referee Sutton but regardless the Roosters took the two points on offer to extend their lead to 14 points.

Joseph Manu was then sent to the Sin Bin for making contact with the head of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to give the Dolphins a major advantage with 10 minutes remaining.

The Phins made it count when Jack Bostock collected a superb pass from Herbie Farnworth to give his side hope with minutes left on the clock.

The Roosters were scrambling to hold on, when they gave away a penalty close to the line. Isaiaya Katoa took the shot at a penalty and was successful setting up a finish with a converted try the difference.

It wasn't to be though for the Phins who fell just short in staging an unlikely come back to give the Roosters a crucial two points as they head into a bye round.

Redcliffe has now lost three in a row and are clinging onto a Top 8 position as they now return to Suncorp Stadium where they face the Warriors.