North Sydney Bears scored a pulsating 33-28 victory over the Sydney Roosters in a Round 14 Knock-On Effect NSW Cup clash at Wentworth Park.
The Bears made a blistering start, with winger Harry McKeon crossing for two tries in the opening 11 minutes. The first came through a slick Kieran Hayman draw-and-pass, and the second saw McKeon bulldoze his way past three defenders in an individual effort that had the Bears up 10-0.
The Roosters managed to fight their way onto the scoreboard in the 22nd minute as a shift out to the right side saw the ball manoeuvre its way out to Tom Rodwell on the wing, who had a defensive overlap covered as he ran his way over the line.
Josh Cook then pounced from dummy half to extend the Bears lead to 14-4, before captain Coby Thomas barged over close to half-time to give North Sydney a commanding 20-4 buffer. Thomas Steadman added a field goal in the final seconds of the first half to send the Bears into the break leading 21-4.
Ammaron Gudgeon stunned the home crowd early in the second half, slicing through the Roosters defence after he received the ball from the scrum to run away under the posts to push the lead out. Hayman’s successful conversion saw the Bears comfortably leading 27-4.
But the Roosters refused to fold. Toby Rodwell ignited the comeback with a brilliant dummy-and-go that saw him cross the try line, before prop Kanaan Magele and fullback Owen Flaherty also crossed in quick succession. Toby Rodwell's successful conversions made it 27-22, and suddenly the game had come alive.
Egan Butcher then collected a Bears error to score. Pressure under the high ball saw the Bears spill the ball forward, as Butcher was there to pick up the crumble and dive over to try-line to level the contest before Toby Rodwell's conversion gave the Roosters a 28-27 lead with 14 minutes remaining.
With the Bears trailing by one and seemingly out of ideas, Coby Thomas produced a miracle, latching onto a Steadman field-goal attempt that rebounded off the crossbar to score and give North Sydney a 33-28 lead with under three minutes to play.
The Roosters threw everything at the Bears in a frantic finish, but the Bears held their ground seal a 33-28 win that completed a remarkable Round 14 clash.
Talking Points
- McKeon's double set the tone. The winger was composed for his first and powerful for his second, giving the Bears an immediate edge on the flank.
- Gudgeon’s try epitomised his growing confidence. Offered space off the back of a scrum, the centre simply ran through a stationary defence.
- The Roosters' ability to score from nothing nearly cost the Bears dearly. Three tries in rapid succession in the second half illustrated just how dangerous they remain when momentum shifts their way.
Key Moment
With North Sydney trailing 28-27 and the clock winding down, Steadman launched a field-goal attempt from inside the 20. The ball struck the crossbar, rebounded back into play, and Thomas reacted quickest to ground it for a try. The Roosters protested furiously, but the referee awarded it, handing the Bears a 33-28 lead they would not relinquish.
What's Next?
The Bears return to second on the ladder, as they prepare to face the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 15. The Roosters will face the Western Suburbs Magpies at Lidcombe Oval.
