NSW Cup Match Report: Raiders defeat Jets

Report by Anthony Eltarraf (nswrl.com.au)

The travelling Canberra Raiders have left almost 9, 000 Jets fans disappointed on Saturday afternoon, defeating Newtown 20-10 at Henson Park.

It took just over 15 minutes for the first try to be scored and it was the away side who drew first blood, scoring through second-rower Kai O’Donnell who found his way over the line for his third try of the season. The try was converted by Brad Schneider, giving the Raiders a six-point lead after the first quarter of the match.

The second quarter of the game saw a shift in momentum with the Jets finally seizing their opportunity, answering back with a lovely spread of the ball finished by Edward Aiono in the corner. Luke Metcalf successfully converted to level the game at six apiece.

With halftime looming, both sides looked desperate to head into the sheds in front. Again it was the away side who took the lead with Kai O’Donnell grabbing himself a double between the posts before a second Schneider conversion increased the Raiders’ lead to 12-6 at the break.

The second half began fairly tediously as both sides struggled to control the ball with errors stopping any opportunities. The second-half deadlock was finally broken on the stroke of 60 minutes, with Siosifa Talakai powering his way over the line to get his side back in the game. Metcalf was unable to convert the try, which left his side behind by two.

It did not take long for momentum to swing back the way of the Raiders as Brad Schneider extended his side’s lead to six, barging his way over to score a crucial try. The halfback could not convert his own four-pointer, however, leaving the margin at one converted try.

The missed conversion could have proven costly for the Green Machine, but a strong run by Iosia Soliola proved too much for the Jets' defence, with the veteran scoring a try to secure his side’s victory. Another missed conversion from Schneider kept the final score at 20 points to 10.

Canberra Raiders 20: (Tries: O'Donnell 2, Schneider, Soliola; Goals: Schneider 2) d Newtown Jets 10: (Tries: Aiono, Talakai; Goals: Metcalf)