The Sydney Roosters have
emerged victorious in the Jersey Flegg grand final overcoming red hot favourites
St George Illawarra Dragons by 23-22.
Minor premiers, the Dragons
looked to have the match in control until the Roosters staged an comeback
late in the match.
With three minutes to go
and the scores locked up at 22-all, Roosters halfback Joe Williams had
the opportunity to win the match but his conversion attempt hit the uprights.
Less than two minutes later,
he popped a field goal and the Roosters hit the front for the first time.
The Dragons looked like they
were in control for much of the match with the Roosters making far too
many errors. The Dragons opened the scoring when five eighth Joseph Griffiths
dived on a Mathew Head kick in the 6th minute. The Roosters responded with
a try to David Shillington but Saints crossed twice more and at half time
led 16-6.
The Roosters were first to
score in the second half when Shilington got a double but the Dragons struck
back with a try to Simon Smith and with 15 minutes to go, Saints held a
handy 22-12 lead.
But the Roosters were far
from done with as Henari Veratu got a double, the Roosters attacking the
left side and pegging the Dragons back.
With the scores at 22-all
and with only 90 seconds to go, Joe Williams broke the deadlock with a
field goal to put the Roosters in front for the first time.
Dragons 22 - Roosters 23
JERSEY FLEGG GRAND FINAL
2:00PM, Sunday, 06 October,
2002
Telstra Stadium
Referee: Rod Lawrence
Scorers
Dragons:
Tries: Griffiths, O'Regan,
Howell, Smith
Goals: Naiqama 3/4
Roosters:
Tries: Shillington 2, Veratau
2
Goals: Williams 3/4. Williams
1 Field goal
