In a Nutshell
Sydney Roosters somehow pulled a victory from the jaws of defeat when they scored two tries in the final five minutes to snatch a 26-30 verdict at Suncorp Stadium
How it unfolded
In a game played at great pace throughout, the Broncos took an early lead through their outstanding halfback Ben Hunt, who dummied from near the line. Corey Parker added the goal.
But then the Roosters, who were without the suspended Sonny-Bill Williams, appeared to be taking control through quick tries from Michael Jennings and Sam Moa, both goaled by James Maloney, but the Broncos levelled after 20 minutes when Anthony Minichiello was unable to hold a Hunt grubber and Sam Thaiday pounced to touch down.
Although the Broncos dominated possession they were unable to score again until Hunt won a penalty on 51 minutes, with Parker’s goal giving them a two-point lead.
The lead was extended four minutes later with an unconverted try from Broncos winger Lachlan Maranta.
But they couldn’t pull away, and the Roosters again got back on level terms with a converted try from Shaun Kenny-Dowall on 60 minutes.
And as the game entered the final ten minutes the tension rose and the action was outstanding.
The Broncos thought they had won it with tries from Jack Reed and Hunt, both unconverted, but giving them an eight-point lead.
But the Roosters weren’t out of it, and when Roger Tuivasa-Sheck scored in the corner, with Maloney adding a touchline conversion, the margin was down to two points and, almost unbelievably, Boyd Cordner took a Mitchell Pearce pass to score in the final minute, and Maloney added the goal to seal a 26-30 victory in an absolute thriller.
