Roosters v Cowboys: Kooty win 30-20 to retain Pepperell Shield | Group 4

The Roosters led 10-0 early, 22-14 at half-time and then dominated the second half - scoring seven tries to three in total in the local derby.

Both sides made plenty of mistakes as their defensive efforts ramped up and claimed plenty of casualties.

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Dungowan captain-coach Shaun Ferguson made a return to the field after missing the first month of the competition.

It has been a frustrating time for him watching from the sideline, and it was an even more frustrating time when he came off the bench on Saturday.

He mixed some strong runs and good hits with frustrating handling errors.

It was a true team performance in that regard. All the Cowboys worked hard but they frittered away chances with dropped ball and a strings of penalties.

The Cowboys were down 10-0 after Ryley Mackay scored from a dropped Sam Taylor bomb and then Josh Kevill caught a one-handed pass from Kyle Cochrane and finished off a powerful run.

Mackay, Kevill and Dungowan forward Lochie Collins were sin-binned after a scuffle in the lead-up to the second Roosters try.

While they were off, Dungowan struck back when Brad Brooks scored an eight-point try and then prop Zac Parker scored from a brilliant piece of work from centre John Marau and halfback Trent Taylor.

Marau copped plenty of punishment but kept going in a gutsy effort at centre, and that effort was rewarded when he broke at tackle on halfway and found Taylor inside.

The young half bounced out of tackles and then chipped ahead. Parker beat everyone to the ball to score a marvellous try and grab a 14-10 lead.

The Roosters regained control with three tries masterminded by Taylor and Cochrane.

In the second half the Roosters controlled the game as both sides wasted opportunities.

Taylor's boot and attacking ability were a constant threat, prop Chris Vidler's powerful runs up the middle were invaluable and Liam Hatch continued to run good lines.

Former Eels flyer Ethan Parry also showed touches of his NRL form with some good carries and offloads but Kooty coach Geoff Sharpe was unimpressed with the overall display of his side.

He was disappointed in the litany of mistakes and told his side so after the game. He wants the side to reset their season.

"I really don't want to comment," he said post-match, but added: "I was happy with the effort in defence and I thought we played some nice football at times."

Ferguson was also disappointed with his side's mistake-riddled game, which was mixed in with some brilliance and hard defensive work.

It was the fourth win of the season for second-placed Kooty, while last-placed Dungowan are yet to win.

Kootingal-Moonbi 30 (Dylan Cloake 3, Liam Hatch 2, Ryley Mackay, Josh Kevill tries; Sam Taylor goal) d Dungowan 20 (Brad Brooks, Zac Parker, Shaun Ferguson tries; Trent Taylor 4 goals).

Best and fairest: Chris Vidler three points, Nathan McGuire two points, Ben Williams one point.

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