The Sydney Roosters have strengthened their grip on a second consecutive NRLW minor premiership by enacting a modicum of grand final revenge in a 34-20 victory against Brisbane.
In a stirring rematch of last year’s decider, in which the Broncos triumphed, it was the Roosters’ sparkling attack that proved the difference at Lang Park on Saturday.
However, the game was overshadowed by a controversial bunker decision to award Roosters winger Brydie Parker a try despite her teammate Jess Sergis pushing Broncos centre Deleni Paitai in the back in the lead-up to the 35th-minute score.
The Tricolours added another three unanswered four-pointers to their tally while prop Brianna Clark was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle.
Although Ali Brigginshaw’s stand-in Georgia Bartlett closed the deficit in the 56th minute, Parker brought up her hat-trick, and Sergis crossed again to keep the Roosters (7-0) undefeated.
After suffering its worst loss in club history to Canberra last round, Brisbane started hot by finding two of the first three tries through a speedy Tamika Upton and interchange Chelsea Lenarduzzi.
But on the stroke of half-time, a potential Broncos penalty try wasn’t awarded despite winger Kerri Johnson getting tackled in the air centimetres from the line.
The Roosters, however, surged home to keep their one-win advantage on top of the ladder with four games to play.
Eels earn first win as Bulldogs suffer pair of sin-bins
At Western Sydney Stadium, a pair of damaging sin-binnings helped Parramatta end its winless start to the season as it weathered a willing Canterbury comeback to win 30-18.
Having lost their opening six games of the campaign, the Eels started fast as hooker Taneka Todhunter and halfback Rachael Pearson crashed over after Canterbury interchange Latisha Smythe was binned.
Even after the 22-year-old returned, both second-rower Mahalia Murphy and five-eighth Cassey Tohi-Hiku crossed to help Parramatta to a 22-0 half-time lead.
The Bulldogs thrust themselves into the contest when centre Monica Tagoai charged onto a pinpoint kick from Tayla Preston before substitute Evelyn Roberts and prop Alexis Tauaneai snared four-pointers.
But a second sin-bin to back-rower Tamika Jones for a hip-drop tackle proved costly as fullback Abbi Church went on a 95-metre tear to complete the victory.
Titans continue hot streak with sixth win in a row
Gold Coast claimed a sixth-consecutive win for the first time in the club’s history and moved into second place, as they staved off St George Illawarra 26-10 at Robina Stadium.
Celebrating their 50th NRLW match, the Titans charged out of the gates, scoring three unanswered tries, but winger Maria Paseka stormed over to reduce the home team’s lead to 14-4 at the break.
Prop Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis gave the Dragons hope of a major boilover, although Gold Coast flicked a switch, and a classy kick-and-chase by sevens convert Teagan Levi before a try to second-rower Evania Isa’ako sealed the victory.
AAP
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