A determined first half performance from the Canberra Raiders has seen them score a 30-18 win over South Sydney at ANZ Stadium.
The Green Machine were outstanding in the opening half scoring four tries to nil as they went into the half time break with a 22-0 lead.
Despite an early fight back from South Sydney in the second half the Raiders were able to maintain their enthusiasm, holding on to a hard fought 30-18 win.
The only negative on the day were injuries to Shaun Fensom and Joel Edwards, with Fensom sustaining elbow ligament damage which saw him miss the back end of the first half and all of the second.
Edwards was also taken from the field early in the second half with concussion and will be assessed by medical staff this week.
Shaun Fensom was involved in the first Raiders try, as he ran onto a beautiful ball from Terry Campese to make a bust close to the line. Fensom then offloaded as the Raiders shifted the ball wide for Reece Robinson to score in the corner.
Robinson was in for his double soon after, this time clutching a nice chip kick from Anthony Milford to score in the right corner. Jarrod Croker converted his second attempt after missing the first and the Raiders led 10-0 after 19 minutes.
A string of penalties allowed the Raiders further opportunity to put some points on the board and the invitation was accepted by Dane Tilse, as he steamed onto a ball from Glen Buttriss close to the line to score. Croker added the extras for a 16-0 lead.
Then a piece of individual brilliance from Anthony Milford gave the Raiders their fourth try, as he darted and weaved his way to the line to score. Jarrod Croker converted and the Raiders held on to a 22-0 lead at halftime.
South Sydney hit back first after halftime when Dylan Walker scored and Adam Reynolds made it 22-6 with his conversion.
The Raiders looked like they would put the lead back out to 20 points when they constructed a move on the left hand edge, but Bill Tupou failed to get the ball down. This allowed Souths to race down the other end of the field soon after and score their second try through George Burgess. Reynolds conversion made it 22-12.
A nervous wait was then on for the Raiders as a possible try to Nathan Merritt went upstairs, but they were let off the hook when the video referee ruled Sam Burgess offside from a John Sutton kick in the lead in to the possible try.
This allowed the Raiders to regain their composure and head down the other end of the field and they were rewarded with a try to Jack Wighton, as he picked up a loose ball from Lote Tuquiri to score. Croker extended the lead to 28-12 with the conversion.
The Raiders received a penalty with 11 minutes left and chose to convert, with Jarrod Croker adding two points to see the Raiders up by 30-12.
A try on fulltime to Chris McQueen was a consolation for Souths, with the Reynolds conversion seeing the game finish at 30-18.
