Not since 1987 had the game's most famous neighbourly feud been fought with both combatants in finals contention this deep into a season.

And didn't it show. Whereas many recent derbies between the NRL's last-surviving foundation clubs have ended in lopsided let downs, this version was fought with such pulstating intent that both sets of fans left the SFS in reasoanble expectation of a September re-match.

The Roosters might have won the battle 18-14, but Souths still have enough time to recover and win the war after playing an equal part in an absorbing clash that could sadly be over-shadowed by a bottle-throwing incident close to fulltime.

After Mitchell Aubusson crossed to put the Roosters ahead with just four minutes left, Roosters pivot Todd Carney was almost struck by debris as he lined-up the conversion in front of Rabbitohs' supporter group the burrow.

Police and security rushed to the fence and were later seen talking to several fans.

The scoreline might have narrowly favoured Souths at the break, but the big hits and exhilarating raids were evenly split as both teams turned on a memorable opening stanza.

While Sydney's big wet dampened the crowd, the same couldn't be said for enthusiasm levels of two sides desperate to push their top four claims.

And it was nteThe Rabbitohs who got the early hop after just three minutes, when young rake Beau Falloon immediately allayed fears that his men would struggle without inspirational No.9 Issac Luke.

With some more favourable calls, the Roosters could have easily overhauled the early setback _ but instead had to wait until 22 minutes into the match until they recieved their first penalty.

Seven minutes earlier, the hosts were denied what would have been one of the tries of the season from a breath-taking move that began on the end of Carney's boot.

The pivot cross-kicked to Sam Perrett, who toed ahead on the volley for an unmarked Anthony Minichiello on the inside.

Minichiello somehow found support and then wrapped around before lobbing a final pass for Mitchell Aubusson to cross.

Sadly, Minichiello's last offering was ruled forward.

While the Roosters were cursing their luck, Chris Sandow had edged Souths further in front with a penalty before the pressure finally resulted in a Todd Carney try  from close range.

The hosts dominated the rest of the half, but the only thing that registered were massive tackles from Sam Burgess on Pearce and Sam Linnett on Rhys Wesser. The second saw young Roosters winger Joseph Leilua reel up teh tunnel with a game-ending shoulder injury.

The Roosters dominated the majority of an absorbing first half, but trailed 8-6 after narrowly failing to convert their numerous chances into points.

There was little change in transmission straight after the break, with the hosts going painfully close to breaking the valiant Rabbitohs' defence several times.

After being called back on a debatable forward pass call in the opening stanza, Mitchell Aubusson was denied again eight minutes after the resumption when he failed to collect a threatening Braith Anasta grubber.

Ten miniutes later, he was pulled down inches short by a fantastic tackle from Chris Sandow.

But the diminuitive Rabbitoh's effort proved to be for nought just seconds later _ as the ball swung to the ring along a crisp backline movement that saw Sam Perrett dash over to put the Tri-Colours infront for the first time.

Carney's conversion from the touchline, but just as it seemed the Roosters were out of the other Souths again applied the blowtorch with an almost identical response 100m downfield.

From a slick movement, Fetuli Talanoa jinked his way over to level the scores before Sandow landed a magnificent sideline goal to restore the Rabbitohs' lead with just 14 minutes remaining.