The Raiders Jersey Flegg side have suffered a tight 28-16 loss to the Sharks in hot conditions at GIO Stadium Canberra on Sunday afternoon.
The home side trailed by just two points in the second half but two tries to the Sharks sealed the win for the visitors.
The Raiders got off to the perfect start, with Livai Kaloutolu breaking through the Sharks defence and Tate Rhea backing up to score the opening try of the game in the second minute.
Noah Ryan added the two, giving the home side an early 6-0 lead.
The Sharks hit back in the 13th minute, with a solo effort from halfback Cody Fuz. Max Riolo converted to level the game at 6-all.
The Sharks took the lead shortly after the drinks break, with Toby Boothroyd hitting a gap to score.
Riolo added another conversion, with the away team taking a 12-6 lead after 21 minutes.
The Sharks made it two tries in three minutes soon after when Noah Lester scored under the posts.
Riolo’s conversion gave the Sharks a 12 point lead, 18-6.
Josh Pokoney hit back for the Raiders with three minutes remaining in the half to reduce his side’s deficit.
Ryan’s second conversion of the afternoon saw the Raiders back within one converted try, with the home side going into the break down by six points 18-12.
The Raiders were first on the scoreboard in the second half, with a shortside play seeing Michael Asomua burst his way through the Sharks defence to score in the corner.
Ryan’s conversion attempt was unsuccessful, with the Raiders reducing their deficit to two points, 18-16.
The Sharks hit back just four minutes later, with hooker Sam Healey darting out of dummy half to score.
Riolo added the two points to extend the visitors lead 24-16 with 28 minutes of play remaining.
The Raiders were reduced to 12 men after Raiders winger Michael Asomua was sin-binned in the 46rd minute for a late shot on Sharks winger Cain Barnes.
After an arm wrestle between the two sides it was Sharks winger Barnes who was able to put the game to bed, crossing in the corner to give the Sharks a 28-16 lead.
