The Toyota Forklift Raiders NSW Cup side were victorious over the Rabbitohs in a tight game, winning 22-16 for their fifth win of the season.
In a cold afternoon in Wagga Wagga, the high completion rate from the Raiders was the difference as they edged out determined Rabbitohs.
The Raiders put the pressure on early thanks to some errors from the Rabbitohs, giving them try scoring opportunities on the Rabbitohs line.
Both teams went set for set early on as they attempted to gain field possession on their opposition.
A grubber kick from Blake Taaffe gave the Souths their first try of the day with Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson scoring in the corner after six minutes of play.
After a big hit from Semi Valemei forcing a drop ball from the Rabbitohs, the Raiders rampaged from one end of the field to the other.
An offload down the right edge for Xavier Savage from the same set had the opposition stripped for numbers as Semi Valemei scored untouched in the corner.
A successful conversion from Joshua James tied the game up at 6-all with 20 minutes remaining in the first half.
A break from Rabbitohs second rower Ethan O’Neill in the 25th minute put them back in the lead as he beat off defenders to cross the line.
The Raiders were desperate to bounce back and score a try before going into the sheds at half-time and that they did, with Brad Morkos busting tackles and breaking the line of the Rabbitohs before passing on the inside to a persistent Savage who scored under the posts.
After some relentless pressure from both sides, the scores were locked up at 12-all at half-time.
In a blink of an eye, the Raiders came bursting out of the gates after some sporadic play down the left hand side.
A kick from winger Utuloa Asomua fell into the hands of Harley Smith-Shields placing the ball down to lead 18-12.
A try-saving tackle from Smith-Shields helped stop the Rabbitohs from scoring under the posts, but some fast feet from Taaffe led him to score over on the right edge.
An unsuccessful conversion from Taaffe kept the Raiders in the lead 18-16 with 30 minutes remaining.
Another barnstorming run from Markos left him metres short of the line, gifting the Raiders another chance to score.
Some unforced errors from the Rabbitohs coming out of their own end gave the Raiders numerous chances to extend their lead.
Fatigue crept in for the Rabbitohs as Toby Thorburn charged out of dummy half putting the defence on the back foot.
The Green Machine took advantage of the tired defence as Trey Mooney passed back on the inside to Ethan Strange to score and extend their lead to six points.
With the Rabbitohs desperate to tie the game up, the Raiders held strong winning 22-16.
