FULLTIME SCORE: Saints 24 - Roosters 20
Match Conditions: Fine
Attendance: 13,221
POST MATCH SUMMARY:
09 April 2000:
The Mighty Dragons have now won
4 in a row defeating the Sydney City Roosters today at WIN Stadium, the
result elevating Saints into the top eight!
Roosters ran away to a 16 - nil
lead after just 20 minutes. Saints forced the issue, digging deep to scratch
out a comeback but they were continually being stifled by the opposition's
tactics of stopping the quick play-the-ball; Saints being held down as
they struggled to get to their feet. Fortunately for Saints and unfortunately
for Roosters, the ref was watchful in this area and Saints got enough possession
to make the Roosters pay. A huge pat on the back must go to the supporters
who had more than a hand in some of ref Steve Clark's decisions. A huge
fart in the face goes to the Roosters team who thinks that they can win
a competition in this manner - the same goes for half the teams in the
NRL.
Lance Thompson and Craig Smith
were tremendous in a match that was generally sloppy as the players from
both teams battled to hold onto the sponsor's ball.
Saints were playing catch up for
most of the match and finally hit the lead after 64 minutes. We had to
withstand consecutive sets of six for the final 10 minutes and endure a
vid ref call after Roosters crossed; but in the end the game was ours!
MATCH REPORT
The match started in a dismal way with Wayne Bartrim missing
an easy penalty goal attempt in the opening minutes. The Roosters then
raced away to a lead of 16 to nil after 20 minutes. The tries to Sing,
Phillips and Cross were all pretty soft and 2 of these came off kicks.
The Dragons lack of defensive commitment and weakness under the bomb were
exposed and we can only hope that this issue is addressed as soon as possible.
In particular, Mark Gasnier was found wanting as he was targeted and few
of his team mates showed up to support him under the kick.
Nevertheless, we figured that Saints would bounce back
and they did just that with a brilliant solo Barrett try who stepped, fended
and fended again to score at the 24th minute mark.
Score Saints 4 - Roosters 16
The match continued to flow the way of the Dragons with
more than a truck load full of penalties to help. Fittler was complaining
to the ref about Saints players lying all over the tackled man. Freddy
got a little mixed up here and was probably referring to his own team mates
who were obviously under instruction to slow Saints down. On the back of
ample possession, Barrett set up a backline movement near the Roosters'
line and an overlap developed with Mark Gasnier crossing and then and running
into centre goal to improve his position & score next to the uprights
in the 33rd minute. Score Saints 10 - Roosters 16
Saints had some excellent opportunities to score right
on half time but poor kicking and last play options let them down. However,
Saints were getting on top and finished the first half the better team.
HALF TIME SCORE: Saints 10 - Roosters 16
It was obvious that Saints needed to be the next to score
but had to put in some desperate defence as the Roosters came very close
to scoring early in 2nd half. Saints responded with a series of attacking
raids beginning with a Barrett break of some 50 metres who had support
to both sides but elected to go himself and bombed a certain try. Next
it was Jamie Ainscough who made one of many breaks down the left flank.
Blacklock ran across in support and would have scored if not for some desperate
diving defence. From the next play the ball, Ainscough would have scored
from dummy half if not for some offside play by Ricketson who was penalised
but should have been sin-binned. In the set that followed. Saints finally
scored in the 48th minute when Timmins combined with Blacklock setting
up Ainscough who scores out wide. The conversion attempt hits the uprights.
Score
Saints 14 - Roosters 16
4 minutes later, Elsegood scores for Roosters off a cross
field bomb which is misjudged by Blacklock. Score Saints 14 - Roosters
20
This is soon forgotten as in the 57th minute Mundine dummies
and steps to score an excellent solo try under the posts. Saints are back
in control and the scores are locked up.
Score Saints 20 - Roosters 20
The Roosters fought back hard and almost scored having
a try disallowed in the 60th minute but in the 64th minute it was the Dragons
who scored after some powerful forward work from the pack. With the Roosters
defence getting soft up the middle, Saints found the neccessary room and
scored a great team try covering 55 metres and starting once again from
a break down the left side. Ainscough went straight through and found Barrett
inside who passed back to the left to Matt Cooper who scores out wide.
It took over an hour of footbal but Saints have finally hit the lead
for the first time in the match. Score Saints 24 - Roosters 20
The Roosters kept coming at the Dragons line for the final
10 minutes and had another try disallowed after a forward pass was found.
Saints had to defend for successive sets of six and a number of heroes
emerged at this point of the match. It was great to see Thompson, Leikvoll
and Hart still charging forward and being on hand so late in what was a
tough match. The Roosters despite showing plenty of spirit really chopped
off their own heads by giving away stupid penalties all day.
Saints were down 16-0 and had to score 24 points to 4
in order to win. It could have been a great win if not for some defensive
lapses in the first 20 minutes. Nevertheless, the Dragons showed plenty
of G&D to come away with the 2 points.
FULL TIME SCORE: Saints 24 - ROOSTERS 20
Saints Best
3-Thompson, 2-Barrett, 1-Ainscough
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Middleman...inspirational Dragons second rower Lance Thompson in the thick
of things yesterday. Picture: GREGG PORTEOUS