The Sydney Roosters came out fast to give the Vodafone Junior Warriors a gruelling test on the road in today’s fifth-round NYC encounter at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford.
After the hosts had raced to a 10-0 lead by the 11th minute, the young Vodafone Junior Warriors – featuring debutant Chanel Harris-Tavita on his 17th birthday – checked the Roosters’ charge and settled into the contest which had kicked off at the unfriendly hour of 9.40am.
They were duly rewarded, too, with loose forward Chris Sio getting across for a try in the 25th minute which Zion Ioka converted.
At 6-10 it looked like they were right in it but the Roosters scored in the 30th and 35th minutes to hold a 22-4 lead at halftime.
The Vodafone Junior Warriors hung in for the opening 15 minutes of the second half only for the Roosters to bolt clear with four tries.
Next up for the Vodafone Junior Warriors is Manly at Mount Smart Stadium next Saturday.
Match details | Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Sydney Roosters 44 (Joseph Manu, Sukamanu Raki, Grant Garvey, Ryan King, Jake Steadman, Kiah Cooper, Bayley Faull, Bernard Lewis tries; Jake Steadman 6 conversions).
Vodafone Junior Warriors 6 (Chris Sio try; Zion Ioka conversion).
Halftime: 22-6 Roosters.
Referee: Adam Cassidy.
Vodafone Junior Warriors | Kane Telea; Lewis Soosemea, Junior Pauga, Melino Fineanganofo, Levi McBirney; Chanel Harris-Tavita, Zion Ioka; Bunty Afoa, Sheldon Pitama (c), Keanu Dawson; Ofahiki Ogden, Joe Vuna; Chris Sio. Interchange: Joseph Price, Kenese Kenese, Tualima Tualima.
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