Roosters kick past Canterbury in soggy conditions

Sydney's Sam Walker's kicking under torrid conditions propelled the Roosters to a 26-8 victory over the Bulldogs on Saturday evening.

The halfback didn't miss a beat with his boot as driving rain fell throughout the contest at Industree Group Stadium in Gosford. 

Walker laid on two tries with his boot before finishing with four try assists and a perfect five from five goal kicking.

The Bulldogs battled through the match showing plenty of grit, however, errors at inopportune times proved costly as they fell to their first defeat since Round 11. 

While the Roosters opened the scoring through a Walker penalty goal, it was the Bulldogs who crossed for the first try of the contest.

Jaeman Salmon was on the end of an expansive attacking movement that started inside Canterbury's own half, Jacob Kiraz producing a punishing fend to send Jeral Skelton away down the sideline, before he linked up with Salmon to make it 4-2 after 17 minutes.

The Roosters hit back almost immediately, a punishing Jared Waerea-Hargreaves tackle putting his side on the attack. The hosts made the most of the opportunity, Dominic Young finishing off a scrum set play to put his side back in front.  

The try allowed the tricolours to claim the upper hand in the arm wrestle and a Brandon Smith 40-20 put the side back on the attack before Walker produced a well-placed grubber for a charging Nat Butcher to make it 14-4.

A Canterbury error in the second half saw the Roosters back on the attack almost immediately.

Again, Walker's boot was key, Terrell May benefiting from a fortuitous rebound to gather the ball and extend the lead.

Skelton made amends for the mistake soon after, racing 90 metres to keep his side in the contest. 

The Roosters, however, didn't skip a beat adding pressure that eventually resulted in points with debutant Blake Steep charging across the line to make it 26-8.

The match took a late turn when Roosters centre Junior Pauga was sent off for a high tackle on Connor Tracy with seven minutes remaining. The Bulldogs spent the rest of the match on the attack, with Walker marched to the bin soon after following a string of penalties and a leg pull on Viliame Kikau.

The change in tide came a little too late for the Blue and White, with the Roosters managing to hold onto their lead despite being reduced to 11 men by full-time.