Sam Taylor believes that most sides can't keep pace with the Roosters for the full 80 minutes due to their superior fitness.
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In a round-six clash at Kootingal on Saturday afternoon, that was certainly the case after the second-placed home side saw off a spirited Boggabri challenge to run in three late tries and win 44-24.
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Sixth-placed Boggabri had reduced the margin to 28-24 midway through the second half when prop Nick Millar scored his second try of the match - a strong, twisting effort from close range.
A highlight of the match was the menacing form of Kooty's No 1 Ethan Parry, the former Parramatta flyer, who seems to be getting better with each game. He delivered a strong-running, energetic performance that augurs well for the Roosters if they can keep the two-game NRL player for the rest of the season.
Taylor, Kooty's talented No 7, said: "I've said it week in, week out: our fitness is just too good for a lot of the teams. We don't turn up for 70 [minutes] - we're here for 80.
"Our fitness has won us most of the games this year, but we still haven't put a good game together."
The Roosters took control of the match when they were two players down, after veteran forwards Phil Beaton and Kyle "Yum Yum" Cochrane were sin-binned in quick succession midway through the half. They did that when Parry put centre Liam Hatch into a hole attacking the Roos' tryline. Taylor converted: 34-24 Roosters.
No 3 Ryley Mackay then crossed for his second try - crashing over in the western corner - before No 17 Sam Molyneux scored a powerful four-pointer.
Kootingal-Moonbi led 24-14 at half-time.
It was their fifth win of the season, while the Kangaroos suffered their fourth loss.
Coming off a 22-18 last-start win over Werris Creek, Boggabri opened the scoring via a close-range try to Millar, before Mackay crossed out wide: 6-6 after Robert Doolan and Jordan Sharpe converted for Boggy and Kooty, respectively.
In the 17th minute, Kooty took the lead when Hatch finished off a slick backline movement inside the Roos' 20m zone. Taylor added the extras, and the Roosters were never headed again.
Doolan was a constant threat - his reward two tries.
Kootingal-Moonbi 44 (R Mackay 2, L Hatch 2, K Hartmann, B Williams, N Zahra, S Molyneux tries: S Taylor 5 goals, J Sharpe goal) d Boggabri 24 (N Millar 2, R Doolan 2, K Murray tries; Doolan 2 goals).
Mark Bode
I’m passionate about writing stories that resonate with people. And I’m genuinely interested in the people I interview; I want to know about them and present their stories in a meaningful way.
I’m passionate about writing stories that resonate with people. And I’m genuinely interested in the people I interview; I want to know about them and present their stories in a meaningful way.
