The referee stated to both captains that they could have a minute for final team talks but the Crusaders decided to leave everyone waiting and Roosters were awarded a penalty to start the game. Captain Mickey Blackley was keen to show from the off that the Crusaders would have to be at their best to beat his side and strong running and tackles from Wright, Blackley, Wood and Sykes did exactly that. One tackle left Blackley with blood pouring from his head and he had to go off for treatment.

The game was a battle in midfield and for the first 20 minutes not one player broke the line of two solid defences. Strong work in defence was tiring the Roosters line and Crusaders made their breakthrough with two unanswered tries, one conversion. 0-10. Paul Ashbridge was itching to get on the field after 5 weeks out and after Crusaders second try he subbed himself on and immediately made the difference. Roosters had worked their way down field and Ashbridge broke through 5 yards out and to score under the posts and converted himself. 6-10 at half time.

Some inspirational words from Coach, Paul Ashbridge at half time left the Roosters fired up going into the second half and it was Ashbridge who intercepted a pass on half way and raced to the try line to level the scores. 10-10. But soon Crusaders were down the other end to go back in front. 10-14.

A shoulder charge from one of the Crusaders props led to a yellow card and Roosters could smell blood and wanted to take advantage of the extra man. Stefan Gallucci had been off the field with a nasty cut above his eye from a stray elbow but once he was patched up, he subbed himself on and soon got the Roosters level as he spied a gap out wide and touched down. Unconverted. 14-14. Crusaders were tiring and the one man dis advantage was starting to show as Sam Redhead beat a number of tackles to score a good individual effort and put the Roosters ahead for the first time. Unconverted. 18-14. There were 15 minutes left when the Crusaders again levelled the scores 18-18 at full time and this thrilling game was going into extra time!

The Roosters started extra time on the front foot and it wasn't long until Gallucci scored again to give them the lead. Strong running and an awesome handoff from Barney West drove the Roosters to 10 metres out. Again Gallucci was found out wide by influential pivot Mickey Drake and he used great footwork to beat the covering defenders. Unconverted. 22-18. But the game continued to be end to end and Crusaders went ahead with a converted try to leave the Roosters sweating with only minutes left on the clock. 22-24.

Roosters were working as a team in defence. Hard hits from all of the Roosters forwards were knocking the Crusaders backwards but Roosters we're not being clinical enough in attack as they tried to force their way over.

Roosters needed something extra as tiredness and frustration was getting the better of a few players, Howcroft pulled the lads in and inspired the flailing Roosters with his words. With one minute left it was Howcroft himself who found something in the tank and took a drive 10 metres out. He batted off the Crusaders defenders and crashed over the line to win the game for the Roosters with only seconds left. Converted by Ashbridge. 28-24 final score.

Captain Mickey Blackley, ' I am delighted with of all the lads today, we played through injuries and fatigue and to get the win and to lift the first piece of silverware as captain is an incredibly proud moment for me. We can't rest on our laurels though and I hope we can use this win as good motivation to go on and take the league and grand final crown at the end of the season'