The Fremantle Roosters have survived a late scare to secure their second win of the season, holding on for a 22-18 win over the South Perth Lions in their WA Smarter than Smoking Premiership round two clash.
The Lions were looking to atone for their Round 1 loss against the Rockingham Sharks while the Roosters were hoping to go back to back after a strong finish against the Sea Eagles last week.
Taka Peneha, who starred in the season opener against North Beach continued his fine form, charging forward at the Lions defence, before offloading for Rangi Te waa Teirney to power over the line and give the Roosters a 4-0 lead.
But just under fifteen minutes later, the home side had their answer as full back Kade McDonald broke the line and powered home in the corner with the Roosters unable to give chase.
A failed conversion attempt meant that the scores were locked at 4-4 and again it was McDonald who’d provide headaches for the visitors, drawing a penalty right in front of the sticks for failing to release.
Harry Debique made easy work of the resulting kick to give the Lions a two point lead with just minutes to go.
But the first half narrative wasn’t quite written just yet, with just 90 seconds left on the clock.
The home side gifted the Roosters a set of six in their own half and after some slick passing play it would be Duane Butler who powered over for the try dead centre and Tierney would convert to give the Roosters a 10-6 going into the sheds.
The home side would come out firing, and with just a handful of minutes on the clock, Luke-David Wells-Talamaivao found himself on the end of a Caleb Norton pass and the youngster wiggled his way through the gap to put the Lions back in front with Debique easily converting.
Wells-Talamaivao thought he may have had a second just five minutes later however the play was brought back after an earlier forward past.
The game then entered a tense period where both sides were looking to drive into the opposition half, however it would be a piece of Delane Edwards magic that would see the Roosters take a hold of the game.
The full back pulled off a delightful chip over the Lions defence before collecting the ball on his own and crossing comfortably with Tierney again converting.
The player-coach was on fire and with just under fifteen minutes on the clock, he turned provider with a delightful offload for the powerful Tierney to cross and grab his second of the day.
Tierney would dust himself off to easily convert and give the visitors a ten point lead.
Two minutes later though, and Wells-Talamaivao also earned an assist setting up Mason Hiko who powered over to set up a grandstand finish with the scores at 22-18.
The Lions would continue to pepper the Fremantle Roosters line with attack after attack but the Premiers held strong and after a Norton knock-on right on the try line, the siren sounded to give the visitors their second win of the season.
It was a tough weekend for both home sides with the other clash in the WA Smarter than Smoking Premiership seeing the Joondalup Giants comprehensively defeat the North Beach Sea Eagles 44-14 in their first outing for the 2020 season at Blue Force Park.
It sets up a mouth watering clash between the Giants and the Roosters at Admiral Park while the North Beach Sea Eagles will be looking to snare a win in front of their home fans at Blue Force Park against the impressive Rockingham Sharks.
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