‘There’s always one’: Bizarre scene as ‘iPhone’ stops NRL match

A top four NRL shootout has had it all after a pitch invader bizarrely stopped a match twice in a costly night for one woman.

The Sydney Roosters have moved into the NRL’s top four after a gritty 26-8 victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs at Gosford on Saturday night.

After the Dolphins’ thrilling loss to the Storm on Friday night, the door was open for either team to enter the top four, with the Roosters coming up trumps in difficult conditions.

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While the rain meant points were at a premium, Sam Walker played a starring role, setting up all four Roosters tries, while James Tedesco reminded NSW coach Michael Maguire just what he can do with a 235m performance.

It was a game that literally had it all after Junior Pauga was sent off for an ugly high shot late in the match, before the Roosters finished with 11 players after Walker was sin binned for a late leg pull.

But it didn’t get more bizarre than in the first half.

With just under 10 minutes left in the half at a rain-soaked Central Coast Stadium, the Bulldogs were working their way off their own line when a female patron ran right past the play the ball, stopping play.

Who thought that was a good idea? Photo: Fox Sports

The woman also got carried off the field. Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

In the horrendous conditions, it gave the sides a chance to have a breather as security dealt with the pitch invader.

“We have somebody who’s decided not only is it pouring rain here, they may get involved in the action as well,” Warren Smith said on Fox League. “There’s always one isn’t there.”

Play wasn’t stopped for too long as the woman was removed from the field.

But while the situation will cost the woman a fine of $1100, she also dropped her phone on field.

The rain was bucketing down and the phone was only discovered after a Brandon Smith 40/20 for the Roosters.

As the Roosters went to attack the Bulldogs’ line, referee Grant Atkins stopped play.

“We have got a whistle, there’s a phone, an iPhone on the field, and you can only guess where that came from,” Warren Smith said.

Michael Ennis then added: “The lady who has decided to do a 100m sprint, she has dropped her phone.”

It was a costly night for the woman. Photo: Fox Sports

The pair laughed at the situation, but it was no laughing matter for the Bulldogs, who conceded a second try to fall 14-4 behind just before the break.

Despite strong completion rates considering the weather, other than a 46th minute length of the field try to Jeral Skelton, the Bulldogs couldn’t crack the Roosters’ line.

The loss is also costly for the Bulldogs, who will tumble out of the top eight with the sides directly below them, the Broncos, Cowboys and Dragons, all having byes this round.

The Sea Eagles and Raiders could also leapfrog Canterbury with wins over the Rabbitohs and Tigers respectively.

Originally published as ‘There’s always one’: Bizarre scene as ‘iPhone’ stops NRL match