The Canberra Raiders NSW Cup team finished their season with a win, defeating the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles 24-12 at GIO Stadium Canberra on Saturday.
With the game locked up at 12-12 for most of the second half, two late tries to the Raiders was enough to give them the win.
In his final game at GIO Stadium Canberra, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad scored two tries and kicked one conversion.
A late change to the side saw Semi Valemei replace Albert Hopoate in the centres, who was elevated to the NRL team.
Raiders second rower Trey Mooney went off the field with a lower leg injury in the sixth minute, with Josh Allen replacing him.
The Sea Eagles were first on the scoreboard after a barnstorming run by centre Alfred Smalley, who beat three defenders to muscle his way over the try-line. Halfback Ben Stevanovic successfully converted to give the away side a 6-0 lead after nine minutes of play.
The Raiders hit back a short time later after a beautiful cut-out pass by fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad found winger Elijah Anderson, who cut back on the inside to score. Halfback Brad Schneider added the two points to level the scores at 6-6 after 15 minutes.
The Raiders made it back-to-back tries five minutes later. Ata Mariota went within inches of scoring, and the next play saw Nicoll-Klokstad beat three defenders to score a four-pointer. Schneider converted to extend the lead to 12-6.
But Blacktown were able to bounce back in their next set, with fullback Jake Toby putting in a grubber, chasing and kicking it again and then scoring. Stevanovic kicked the conversion to level the scores at 12-12 after 25 minutes.
The home side had some golden opportunities to hit the lead late in the first half but Blacktown’s defence held strong.
In what was a see-sawing first 40 minutes, the scores remained locked at 12-12 at the half-time break.
Defence dominated the early exchanges of the second half, with neither team able to break the deadlock.
A penalty to the Raiders in the 62nd minute gave the home side good field position and an overlap saw Brad Morkos attempt to score in the corner, but he was denied.
Josh James came from the field with an injury with 11 minutes remaining, replaced by Mitchel Souter.
The Raiders forced a repeat set with nine minutes to go to give themselves the best opportunity of the second half.
A charging run from Peter Hola with eight minutes remaining saw him crash over to score and give the Raiders the lead.
Schneider was able to add the two points, giving the Raiders a six-point lead with six minutes remaining.
A perfectly-weighted kick from Schneider saw Nicoll-Klokstad score his second try of the game with two minutes remaining, much to the delight of the Raiders fans.
Nicoll-Klokstad then kicked the conversion to give the Raiders a 24-12 win.
