SYDNEY ROOSTERS racked up a NRLW-record 66 points in an evisceration of NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS.
The Warriors are no pushovers, starting the round in the top six, but couldn’t handle the depth of attacking firepower of the unbeaten leaders.
Tarryn Aiken ran the show, assisting five of the Roosters’ twelve tries, which were scored by Keeley Nizza (two), Olivia Kernick (two), Brydie Parker (three), Jessica Sergis, Isabelle Kelly (two) and Jayme Fressard (two).
Jocelyn Kelleher converted nine of them, while the Warriors registered only Stacey Waaka and Mele Hufanga tries in falling 66-8 – which extended the league record winning margin from 50, and the record for points by one team in a game from 56.
GOLD COAST TITANS are now clearly the Roosters’ nearest challengers, following a 28-20 victory against free-falling champions BRISBANE BRONCOS.
Teagan Levi and Georgia Grey each scored try doubles in their seventh straight win, with Jaime Chapman also crossing and Lauren Brown kicking four goals.
Kerri Johnson’s double kept Brisbane in the game, followed by Tamika Upton and Chelsea Lenarduzzi tries which Jesse Southwell converted.
Raecene McGregor’s field-goal with just over a minute to go spared WESTS TIGERS’ blushes at NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS after they let a 26-6 lead slip.
Wests, now third, built that advantage through Shaylee Bent, Caitlin Turnbull, Harmony Crichton, Shaniece Monschau and Losana Lutu tries plus three McGregor conversions.
Kirra Dibb converted tries by Tenika Willison, Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, Sidney Taylor and Olivia Higgins, then kicked a penalty-goal to level, only for McGregor to intervene for a 27-26 victory.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS won 32-28, but also had a fright against a ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS side who just wouldn’t go away.
North Queensland led through Jasmine Peters’ third-minute try while a Charlize Lloyd-Phillips hat-trick and two by Essay Banu – and four Rosie Kelly conversions – twice had them twelve points ahead.
Kept in the game by Jayme Millard, Teagan Berry, Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis and Maria Paseka tries, Ella Koster and Tyra Ekepati scored late to close the gap to 32-28 – but crucially Paseka could only kick two goals over the course of the contest.
There was no such drama at CANTERBURY BULLDOGS, where Krystal Blackwell’s hat-trick and three try assists helped CANBERRA RAIDERS to a 48-4 triumph.
Simaima Taufa, Mackenzie Wiki, Isabella Waterman, Elise Simpson, Leianne Tufuga and Hollie-Mae Dodd also crossed, with Zahara Temara kicking six goals, while Simina Lokotui scored Canterbury’s sole try.
PARRAMATTA EELS climbed off the foot of the table – replaced by the Dragons – in style, running out 42-16 winners at CRONULLA SHARKS.
Rory Owen and Zali Fay each scored doubles and were backed up by Martha Mataele, Ryvrr-Lee Alo and Jasmin Morrissey tries plus seven Rachael Pearson goals.
Cronulla, now second-bottom, scored through Jacinta Carter, Milla Elaro and Rhiannon Byers tries, two converted by Chantay Kiria-Ratu.
Results
Saturday 22 August
Newcastle Knights 26 Wests Tigers 27
Canterbury Bulldogs 4 Canberra Raiders 48
St George Illawarra Dragons 28 North Queensland Cowboys 32
Sunday 23 August
Gold Coast Titans 28 Brisbane Broncos 20
Sydney Roosters 66 New Zealand Warriors 8
Cronulla Sharks 16 Parramatta Eels 42
Fixtures
Saturday 29 August
Gold Coast Titans v Canberra Raiders (3.45am)
Sydney Roosters v Cronulla Sharks (6.15am)
North Queensland Cowboys v Newcastle Knights (8.15am)
Sunday 30 August
New Zealand Warriors v St George Illawarra Dragons (2.50am)
Parramatta Eels v Brisbane Broncos (4.45am)
Wests Tigers v Canterbury Bulldogs (9.15am)
(All UK time, all on Sky and Watch NRL)
Table
Sydney Roosters 16 pts
Gold Coast Titans 14 pts
Wests Tigers 12 pts
Canberra Raiders 10 pts
Brisbane Broncos 10 pts
New Zealand Warriors 8 pts
Newcastle Knights 6 pts
Canterbury Bulldogs 6 pts
North Queensland Cowboys 6 pts
Parramatta Eels 4 pts
Cronulla Sharks 2 pts
St George Illawarra Dragons 2 pts