Broncos hold off Roosters for first win

The Karratha Broncos have held on to a two-point lead by the skin of their teeth to notch their first victory of the 2016 season over the Karratha Roosters.

In persistent rain the Broncos kept the lead the whole night, but at 30-36 with two minutes left on the clock two dropped balls found the visitors back-pedalling on their own try line.

The Roosters pounced and, in a decision which had Bronco’s supporters blowing up, one more play was called as the buzzer sounded between a tackle being made and the next play-the-ball resulting in a Roosters try right on the corner post.

It counted for little, however, as a tough sideline kick from David Wailu failed to split the posts, leaving the final score at 34-36.

Earlier in the night the Broncos got off to a good start, pushing the score out to 18-6 by half-time.

The visitors nullified the Roosters’ stylish running game and the likes of Cognac De St Laurent put on a few fancy footwork himself.

Both teams were sketchy under the high ball but kept the pill alive through the hands well considering the wet conditions.

The Roosters stepped up a gear to start the second half, bringing the score to 16-18 within a few minutes back on the paddock.

They were their own worst enemy at times though with a poor completion rate due to attempting to force one too many passes.

Two runaway tries to the Broncos, including a centre-busting run from De St Laurent, pushed the score back out but the Roosters kept coming back to stay within striking distance.

The buzzer, a car horn, was seemingly an issue all night after being missed at half-time and full-time. Car horns were sounded regularly throughout the game as well by spectators, possibly leading to confusion.