Sydney Roosters 32 Penrith 12

IT WAS Friday the 13th but it was Mason rather than Jason who ruled for the Roosters. Willie Mason, 48 hours after State of Origin and along with three of his interstate counterparts, helped the Roosters bloody the Panthers.

But while it was Friday the 13th, this night had more of a Gremlins feel - mock horror over shock horror. A time-keeping controversy and several contentious decisions by on- and off-field officials were talking points. Over the course of 80 minutes the decisions evened themselves out, so neither side could claim to be the aggrieved party.

The Panthers were gallant in defeat. They spent much of the game with just one player on the bench and the final moments with none after a host of injuries to key players - including knee damage to hooker Luke Priddis which will keep him out for 6-8 weeks, at least.

Against a side with three players - Mason, Anthony Tupou and Craig Fitzgibbon - wanting redemption for a Wednesday night thrashing and one - Nate Myles - on a high after said thrashing, they were always facing an uphill path. The injuries to Tony Puletua, Priddis , Michael Jennings and Josh Bateman (pectoral, season-ending) built a brick wall in front of it.

Roosters coach Brad Fittler had built his own brick wall with Origin players including Tupou - two nights after playing for the Blues and an even shorter period after being out with Greg Bird around the same time as Bird's blues with the boys in blue. Clearly, Fittler had been wary of the black cat on this night.

But it was a change by his counterpart, Penrith's Matt Elliott, that proved decisive in the opening exchanges. He had dumped Jarrod Sammut following some poor performances on the wing, and replaced him with centre Brad Tighe on the right flank. After just three minutes, Tighe tied the Roosters' defence in all sorts of knots when he squirmed over in the corner. Sean Hampstead, who less than a week earlier had been a little quick to disallow a try to the Bulldogs' Andrew Ryan, against Newcastle, was fast on the trigger again in awarding a try. His aim was far more accurate this time.

Fittler's decision to start his stars had not had its planned immediate impact. But one of the lesser-known players in his squad, whom he had also promoted to the starting side, gave them the advantage seven minutes later; hooker James Aubusson shimmied and shimmied again before scoring from dummy half.

If Hampstead had given Tighe the benefit of the doubt earlier, video referee Bill Harrigan ruled no try after 20 minutes when Panthers winger Luke Rooney stepped and lunged, but the ball squirmed loose. Just.

Worse was to follow for the Panthers. As Harrigan pressed the red button, Panthers prop Tony Puletua pressed the eject button after suffering rib cartilage damage. He would later return.

Not so Jennings, who appeared to step on Rooney's hand, damaging his ankle. He had to be helped off the field.

The Panthers lost their third player in 10 minutes when lock Bateman joined Puletua and Jennings in the dressing room after taking on Mark O'Meley head on and earning a pectoral injury for his troubles. Moments later, O'Meley rumbled over to give Fittler a coaching victory - a little later than expected. O'Meley clearly had wanted to make an impact after making way for Myles for the opening exchanges.

Soon afterwards, Fittler had another when a wonderful set play came off; players in motion leaving the defence second guessing, Tupou sent a no-look ball Anthony Minichiello's way that had no guesswork at all. Tupou knew his fullback was there, and his fullback knew his way to the tryline.

That should have been the end of the contest, however Mitchell Pearce misjudged the subsequent kick-off, giving the Panthers 30 seconds to score. They only needed 32, the scoreboard clearly ticking over to zero before the Panthers played the ball and, as the siren sounded, Luke Lewis kicked perfectly for Rooney.

Who said black cats don't bring luck on this day?

They received an ounce more three minutes after the break, when Sia Soliola was ruled to have knocked on after the ball bounced into his forearm after having an airswing. Tupou grounded the ball and was laughing with his trainer. Not for long though.

There was little doubt 10 minutes after half-time when Braith Anasta leapt high and plucked the ball away from Rhys Wesser following Pearce's bomb. Nothing would wipe the smile off their faces on this occasion.

By now the Roosters were really enjoying themselves. Lewis's kick slammed into Brent Grose, and it fell invitingly to Mason, who charged try-ward before running out of puff but still having the nous to send Grose over. Fittler took him off immediately afterwards. On ya bike Willie, and on ya bike Penrith.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS 32 (J Aubusson, M O'Meley, A Minichiello, B Anasta, B Grose, S Kenny-Dowall tries; C Fitzgibbon 4 goals) bt PENRITH 12 (B Tighe, L Rooney tries; S Rodney 2 goals) at Sydney Football Stadium.
Referee: S Hampstead. Crowd: 9724.