A mixed weekend of results for the Raiders lower grades with the NSW Cup side keeping themselves in the hunt for finals whilst the Jersey Flegg team fell short against the Tigers.
NSW Cup
A stunning second half from the Raiders was just enough to get them over the line against the Magpies at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday afternoon.
After trailing at half-time, Canberra were able to fight their way back into the contest and walk away with an important victory which keeps them on track to play finals football in a couple of week's time.
Raiders centre Mitchell Spencer was outstanding in the win registering two tries, 139 running metres and three tackle breaks.
The match didn’t start off ideally however for the Raiders with Western Suburbs scoring in just the second minute to take a 6-0 lead. The Magpies followed up with another try from Junior Tupou in the 14th minute to give themselves a controlling early lead.
But Canberra answered back with two tries of their own before half-time through Ata Mariota in the 24th minute and Mitchell Spencer in the 38th minute to make it 12-10 at the break in favour of the Magpies.
Spencer started the second half where he finished the first, scoring just seven minutes in to give the Raiders a two-point lead.
Western Suburbs were next to score to steal back the lead but the Raiders once again answered back in style running in two late tries through Manase Kaho and forward Peter Hola to provide Canberra with a 26-18 lead with only five minutes remaining.
Western Suburbs managed to score an unconverted try in the 78th minute but it was too late for them with the Raiders holding on to win by four points.
The Raiders NSW Cup side will face off against the ninth placed Newcastle Knights on Sunday at McDonald Jones Stadium looking to secure their place in the finals.
Match: Magpies v Raiders
Round 22 -
home Team
Magpies
11th Position
away Team
Raiders
6th Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Jersey Flegg
The Canberra Raiders Jersey Flegg side were defeated by the Wests Tigers 32-24 in a try scoring affair on Sunday afternoon at Leichhardt Oval, with a strong second half from the home side being too much to withstand.
Although it was a disappointing result for the Canberra side, who are fighting to make it into the top five for finals, they showed some blistering attack with Manase Kaho and Josh Billing scoring two tries each.
After the Tigers scored first, Canberra found their mojo running in three straight tries to take a 14-6 lead in the 25th minute.
Both sides exchanged tries going into half-time with the Raiders looking in a good position to go on and win the match leading 20-10 at the break.
Wests Tigers started the second half strongly, scoring the first two tries to tie the game at 20-all.
The Raiders were able to get across the line through Livai Kaloutolu in the 58th minute to hold a four-point lead but only two minutes later fullback Manase Kaho was sin binned meaning Canberra would have the playout the remainder of the match one man down.
The Tigers didn’t miss their opportunity to win the game, scoring back to back tries in the 63rd and 66th minute to win the match by eight points.
The Raiders Jersey Flegg side will also take on the Knights this weekend needing a win to keep their season alive.
Match: Wests Tigers v Raiders
Round 22 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
4th Position
away Team
Raiders
7th Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
