NRLW Round 3 results: Sharks too slick for Raiders, Roosters sweat on Jess Sergis injury

The Sharks fell behind early, but when the ladder leaders found their groove they quickly racked up points against a gallant Canberra outfit. We wrap all the Round 3 action here.

The Sharks have gone to the top of the NRLW ladder after they produced a stunning second-half comeback against a Raiders side that coughed up a double-digit lead for the second time in as many weeks.

It looked like the Green Machine would bounce back from last week’s thrilling loss to the Knights when they scored the first two tries of the afternoon, but the visitors raced in five tries in 18 minutes to win 24-12 and remain undefeated.

They didn’t look like scoring with attacking weapons Emma Tonegato and Jada Taylor out injured, but a trademark Tiana Penitani try after 45 minutes got them going when she powered through three tacklers to score.

The Sharks added two more tries in three minutes to take the lead, before Nakia Davis-Welsh scored the first four-pointer of her career and then Ellie Johnston crashed over to seal the win.

Pure strength from Penitani 👏 #NRLWRaidersSharkspic.twitter.com/C8WdvjoQRp

— NRLW (@NRLWomens) August 10, 2024

CAPITAL COLLAPSE

They’ve looked like one of the strongest teams at times this season but Canberra has just one win to show for it from the opening three rounds after another second-half collapse.

Madison Bartlett scored a try in each half to take her tally to 22 – just one behind Teagan Berry’s NRLW record – but they couldn’t land the knockout blow despite being camped on Cronulla’s line.

There could be more trouble with inspirational lock Simaima Taufa on report for a hip-drop tackle late in the game.

Holli Wheeler of the Sharks hits the ball up. Picture: Getty Images

LATE ‘SERG’ GETS ROOSTERS HOME OVER TIGERS

The Roosters have survived an almighty scare with the premiership fancies striking late to see off the valiant Wests Tigers, but they’ll be sweating on Jess Sergis’ fitness after the superstar centre stayed down in agony with what appeared to be a right knee injury before she then made a miracle recovery to score the sealer.

Sergis entered the game with strapping on her left leg but it was the other knee which is of more concern after it was caught awkwardly in a perfectly legitimate tackle by Sarah Togatuki.

Jessica Sergis of the Roosters dives over to score a try. Picture: Getty Images

It looked like she’d be taken from the field but the Jillaroos star stayed on the field and iced the game with her very next touch when she steamed onto a short ball and ran 38 metres to score in her seventh-straight NRLW game.

A week after they dismantled the Broncos with blistering ball movement, the Roosters really struggled with eight errors in the first half but scored the only four tries after the break to win 20-4 with Jayme Fressard bagging a double.

It was 4-all with 11 minutes to go when Olivia Kernick crashed over to finally put her side in front.

Roosters fire back 🙌 #NRLWRoostersTigers@Telstra Moment of the Match pic.twitter.com/6ly7S67dO0

— NRLW (@NRLWomens) August 10, 2024

TEN-ACIOUS TIGERS

The Tigers have now lost 10 games in a row but this was easily their most encouraging performance of the season, with injuries to key personnel costing them dearly in Gosford.

Harmony Crichton and Kezie Apps both finished the game on the bench with ice packs on their right knees, with the winger lasting just five minutes while the Jillaroos star came off early in the second half.

Leianne Tufuga of the Tigers cops a high shot. Picture: Getty Images

Natasha Penitani also came off but was able to return in the second half as the Tigers fought valiantly for an hour before the Roosters broke their hearts at the death.

The game started well with Tess Staines breaking the deadlock when she scored off a short dropout, with the Tigers able to frustrate the Roosters’ attack which put 48 points on them a year ago.

Originally published as NRLW Round 3 results: Sharks too slick for Raiders, Roosters sweat on Jess Sergis injury