MATCH REPORT
Dragons into NRLW grand final after beating Roosters
Author
Alicia Newton NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp
Sun 29 Sep 2019, 02:44 PM
St George Illawarra have booked their spot in the 2019 Holden Women's Premiership grand final with a 24-16 victory over the Roosters in the first NRLW standalone fixture at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday.
A double to Dragons centre Jess Sergis, who was the difference between the two sides with a player-of-the-match performance, set up the win in front of 2293 people at the suburban venue.
The Dragons will meet defending champions Brisbane in next week's decider at ANZ Stadium, to be played before the men's NRL grand final, with Sunday's victory seeing them leapfrog the Warriors on points differential.
Tries to Sergis, Shakiah Tungai and Tiana Penitani in the first half enabled the Dragons to lead 16-10 at the break.
Sergis, who was marking opposite number Isabelle Kelly in a cracking match-up, got the upper hand with a one-on-one strip on the golden boot winner to race 40 metres to the line.
Match: Dragons v Roosters
Round 3 - Sunday 29th September
Full Time
Home Team
Dragons
Scored 24 points
Away Team
Roosters
Scored 16 points
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- Nine Network
- Foxtel
- GEM
- KAYO
- LIVE PASS
Penitani and Tungai crossed each within three minutes to follow but the Roosters struck back after half-time through retiring veteran Ruan Sims to level the scores.
The Tricolours looked like threatening further on their way to causing an upset until an individual piece of brilliance from Sergis, who latched onto a Mel Howard pass to race 80 metres against the run of play, swung momentum back into the Dragons' favour.
Sergis intercepts her way to a double
A penalty goal from in front with four minutes remaining clinched the result late.
Making matters worse for the Roosters, they lost Isabelle Kelly to a concerning leg injury, while Hannah Southwell was placed on report ahead of the international Nines and Test match next month.
The Roosters' disappointing campaign may have continued on the scoreboard but they came out of the blocks firing to score first and deliver arguably their best performance of the season.
The side crossed first through Howard after some strong lead up work from Roosters fullback Corban McGregor who weaved her way through the line.
Roosters rookie Shanice Parker was called into the side for Kiana Takairangi and was strong on debut with an intercept and line break that led to the side's second through fellow debutante Bobbi Law.
https://www.dragons.com.au/news/201...into-nrlw-grand-final-after-beating-roosters/
