The Raiders Jersey Flegg side have gone down to the Parramatta Eels 32-14 at GIO Stadium Canberra on Saturday afternoon.
The Eels opened the scoring in the ninth minute, with winger Richard Penisini on the end of a slick movement to cross in the corner. Halfback Ethan Sanders missed the sideline conversion, leaving the score at 4-0.
A try to Eels prop Noah Reed extended the visitors’ lead, with Sanders kicking the conversion to put the Eels ahead 10-0.
The Eels turned defence into attack in the 27th minute, capitalising on a Raiders’ error and making their way down the field for Penisini to score his second of the match. Sanders was unable to convert from the sideline, with the Eels taking a 14-0 lead.
The Raiders hit back just before the half-time break when a grubber sat up perfectly for Josh Billing to score.
Regan Carr added the two points, with the Raiders going into the half-time break down by eight points, 14-6.
The Eels started the second half in style, when hooker Jacob Davis darted over from dummy half to further extend their lead. Sanders added the two points to take his side’s lead to 14 points, 20-6.
Raiders winger Livai Kaloutolu showed his strength soon after, breaking through several Eels defenders to score in the corner. Carr was unable to convert, with the Raiders reducing their deficit to 10 points, 20-10.
The Raiders had some good field position but couldn’t capitalise with points, and it was the Eels who were next to score with second rower William Latu going over for a four-pointer. Sanders converted to give his side a 26-10 lead.
Kaloutolu scored his second try of the game after beating a few defenders to cross over the try-line, bringing the score to 26-14.
A knock on from the Raiders gave the Eels the ball in the opposition’s quarter, and it was Sanders who was able to burst through the Raiders defence to score. Sanders converted his own try to make the final score 32-14.
