The Toyota Forklift Raiders have held on at the death, defeating the Tigers 22-18 at GIO Stadium Canberra as they look to secure their finals ticket.
It was a restructured Raiders outfit this week, as Jarrod Croker was sidelined due to a hamstring injury which saw Jordan Rapana slot into the fullback position.
Rapana was targeted early on by the Tigers as he wore the #1 jersey for the second time this season, but the experienced veteran defused any pressure the visitors threw his way.
The Green Machine appeared to score first, with Albert Hopoate crossing over the chalk in the 12th minute. The try was later disallowed due to Hopoate losing possession over the line.
Just a minute later the Tigers looked to threaten the Raiders try line, with Jahream Bula scoring in the 13th minute. This try was also disallowed due to a double movement.
It was the hosts who scored first, with Jack Wighton putting a chip through for Sebastian Kris to score in the left corner. Fogarty was unable to convert from the sideline, leaving the score settled at 4-0 in the 26th minute.
In the 27th minute there was a successful captains challenge from Corey Horsburgh, where the Raiders kicked for touch and gained some valuable field position.
The Green Machine capitalised on this, with Hudson Young scoring in the 28th minute as he charged through the Tigers defence to burrow over the line. Fogarty converted the try to further the Raiders lead to 10-0.
The hosts continued to pile on the pressure and threaten the Tigers right edge, but an intercept by David Nofoaluma defused the situation, resulting in Charlie Staines scoring in the 35th minute. Apisai Koroisau converted to make it 10-6 at the break.
Resuming from the break the Green Machine came charging out of the sheds, with Sebastian Kris displaying some individual brilliance to complete his double, weaving his way through the Tigers defence in broken play to score in the 44th minute. Fogarty successfully converted to further the Raiders lead to 16-6.
With the game beginning to slip away from the visitors, Tigers skipper Apisai Koroisau showed his experience, putting a well-placed kick through for Nofoaluma to score in the right corner.
Koroisau converted from the sideline to reduce the deficit to 16-12 in the 58th minute.
In the 62nd minute Fogarty hung the ball up high for Nick Cotric to show his athleticism and regain possession. A set restart saw the Raiders bombard the Tigers defence, with a short ball from Rapana putting Matthew Timoko over the line to score.
Fogarty successfully converted from out wide to boost the hosts lead to 22-12 in the 64th minute.
With 10 minutes remaining in the match, Koroisau once again took matters into his own hands as he tried to help the Tigers fight their way back into the game, piercing the Raiders defence with a grubber for Luke Brooks to score.
Korosiau comfortably converted from in front of the sticks to make it 22-18 in the 71st minute.
In the final seconds of the game, the Tigers searched desperately for a way through the solid Raiders defence with Luke Brooks kicking wide for Nofoaluma.
But Jack Wighton swooped in to save the day with a game winning tackle, saving the day for the Raiders to see them defeat the Tigers 22-18.
