NRLW trials wrap: Roosters stars injured ahead of season opener

NSW Origin playmaker Corban Baxter and Sydney Roosters team-mate Brydie Parker are awaiting the results of scans after being injured in Sunday's NRLW trial against the Sharks.

Baxter, the Roosters captain, was carried from PointsBet Stadium in the first half with a knee injury, while Parker suffered a suspected shoulder injury and also had to be assisted from the field.

The backline duo are in doubt for the opening match of the NRLW season against premiers Newcastle on Thursday, July 25 at McDonald Jones Stadium but Roosters officials hope the injuries aren't long term. 

Titans rookie Sarina Masaga was also carried off in Sunday's trial against the Cowboys in Cairns with an ankle injury and will also undergo scans.

A leg injury suffered by Raiders centre Cheyelle Robins-Reti in Friday night's trial against the Knights is not as bad as first feared, while Shakiah Tungai is undergoing concussion protocols but is expected to be available for Round 1 against Wests Tigers.

Sharks 20 Roosters 20

A try to Sydney Roosters centre Mia Wood on the last tackle of the match snatched a draw the Sharks in Sunday's NRLW trial at PointsBet Stadium.

Cronulla were slick in attack, scoring three tries for a 12-0 halftime lead before resting some of their big guns including Emma Tonegato and Quincy Dodd.

The Roosters roared to life after the break as new recruit Taina Naividi bagged a quickfire double.

The game was played in quarters with no conversion attempts.

Cronulla began energetically, making a statement in the opening set when Dodd took off from dummy-half and gobbled up metres through the middle.

The Sharks drew first blood through Georgia Ravics and extended their lead when second-rower Talei Holmes proved too hard to stop at close range after charging onto a neat short ball from five-eighth Tonegato.

Brute strength from Ellie Johnston put Cronulla further ahead, the prop skittling defenders and muscling her way to the line in the 22nd minute.

The Tricolours mounted a comeback in the third quarter, enjoying success on their left edge as winger Naividi touched down twice in quick succession.

Staples steadied the ship for Cronulla, scooping up a loose ball to add more points after utility playmaker Georgia Hannaway forced an error with a bomb.

Going tit for tat, the Roosters reduced the margin once more when halfback Jocelyn Kelleher danced through the defence. Cronulla quickly reclaimed the momentum, however, with Taylor setting up a try for captain Tiana Penitani.

Centre Jessica Sergis returned fire for the visitors, keeping the Roosters firmly in the contest heading into the final 10 minutes. Wood's last-gasp effort in the right corner meant the teams walked off having each scored five tries.

Cowboys 28 Titans 12 

A playmaking masterclass from Cowboys duo Tahlulah Tillett and Kirra Dibb helped North Queensland claim the inaugural Breayley-Nati - Hoepper Shield with a 28-12 victory over the Titans in Cairns on Sunday.

The home side led from start to finish with their dominant forward pack asserting their authority to lay the platform for the Cowboys linchpins, who assisted in piling on the points in the opening half.

But Titans coach Karyn Murphy will be pleased by the final 40 minutes, as her side who were missing four potent Origin stars eased their nerves and minimised the onslaught to score two tries to one in the second half of the pre-season hit-out.

Jasmine Peters opened the scoring for the Cowboys but a weight of possession gave new Titans halves pairing Taliah Fuimaono and Lauren Brown a chance to finesse their combination after being Origin combatants only two weeks earlier.

Brown and Emily Bass combined to put Georgia Sim over in the 12th minute but the Cowboys went to quarter-time ahead after a well-timed shift from Tillett to Dibb, who involved herself perfectly to lay on a try for Krystal Blackwell.

After the drinks break, errors and penalties cruelled the Coast with Tillett getting herself on the scoresheet with a crafty show-and-go in the 23rd minute; before putting English fullback Fran Goldthorp over for another try.

Peters got her second try after Tillett held up a pass for the Cowboys centre and then Goldthorp scored again on the stroke of half-time to give North Queensland a 24-4 lead.

The Cowboys scored in the 67th minute, with interchange half Kayla Shepherd setting up a textbook unders line for Tiana Raftstrand-Smith to cross the Titans hit back with consolation tries to Laikha Clarke and Fuimaono.

Broncos 28 Wests Tigers 16

The game was played in 25-minute thirds.

The visiting Wests Tigers struck first after 12 minutes through winger Tess Staines but three unanswered tries to Brisbane gave them a 12-4 lead at the first break in the match, which was played in 25-minute thirds. 

A 28th minute try to damaging front-rower Sarah Togatuki was followed by a try to centre Rikeya Horne, levelling proceedings at 12-12 with 31 minutes gone.

The home side hit back shortly after though, and Ali Brigginshaw went on to extend the Broncos lead further with a 45th minute try.

Wests Tigers continued their trend of being the first to score in each third, with new signing Claudia Nielsen grabbing her unofficial first try in new colours after making the switch from Rugby Sevens. 

Late tries to Jada Ferguson and Chelsea Lenarduzzi extended the fulltime scoreline to 28-16 in favour of the Broncos.

Eels 20 Dragons 8

The Eels enjoyed a strong win over the Dragons in their first match under new coach Steve Georgallis at Eric Tweedale Stadium on Saturday.

Cassey Tohi-Hiku starred in her first match at five-eighth, Elsie Albert made a statement in her return from injury, and Abbi Church continued her terrific form at fullback in a game full of positives for the Eels.

The trio all scored first half tries before Rory Owen and Monique Donovan rounded out the scoring in the second half.

The Eels' five tries were countered by two late consolation scores to the Dragons. Neither team attempted conversions to maximise game time.

Raiders 8 Knights 28

The Knights warmed up for their bid to achieve an NRLW three peat with a 28-8 defeat of the Raiders in a performance which would have left new coach Ben Jeffries impressed.

Fielding a near-full strength side in the first half, the Knights had to work hard before Abigail Roache scored the first try by charging over close to the line in the shadows of quarter-time.

However, took control after the break and looked much closer to the side which won back-to-back titles in the last two years.

Jesse Southwell was at her scheming best to send Shanice Parker over with a lethal short-side raid and the Knights then scored again through Tamika Upton, before Jess Gentle crossed after completing a slick backline movement.

The Raiders worked their way back into the contest, crossing for two tries in the third quarter to reduce the scoreline to 16-8 but Newcastle dominated the fourth with Georgia Roche, Evah McEwen and Tayla Predabon each scoring.