The Canberra Raiders have suffered a 20-12 defeat to the Newcastle Knights at GIO Stadium, Canberra.
A Madison Bartlett double wasn’t enough to inspire the Canberra Raiders to victory as they fell short to reigning premiers, Newcastle Knights.
The Raiders led for most of the first half before the Knights scored three tries in the second half to win 20-12.
The Raiders came out firing to start the game against the Knights, spreading the ball coast to coast on the first set going the full length of the field to force a goal line drop out.
In the Knights first possession of the ball, Jesse Southwell kicked a 40/30 to hand them their first attacking set of the game.
Apii Nicholls’ composure showed when faced with a difficult grubber into the Raiders in goal but dealt with it comfortably.
The Raiders were awarded consecutive penalties that enabled them to get key field possession as they approached the try line looking for their first try of the game.
A kick on the final tackle from Zahara Temara found Shakiah Tungai on the wing but was forced over the sideline before she could release the ball.
Some calmness under the high ball from Madison Bartlett helped the Raiders get a 20-metre restart to spark their attacking set.
A penalty two tackles later gave the Green Machine their best chance at a scoring opportunity.
A long ball over the top from Ash Quinlan to Bartlett on the wing handed the Raiders the first try of the game.
An unsuccessful conversion from Temara left the scores at 4-0 with 10 minutes left in the first half.
Mackenzie Wiki made a break down the right-hand side of the field only to be brought down 15 metres short of the line.
With the momentum in the Raiders favour, they quickly spread the ball to the other side as Bartlett and Cheyelle Robins-Reti combined to fend off their opposition giving Bartlett her second try of the game.
Temara successfully kicked the try conversion to give the Raiders a 10-point lead as the first half came to a close.
The game resumed for the second half and it was the Knights who were the first to strike as Georgia Roche threw a dummy to beat two opponents to score.
With the margin at four points after the conversion, the Raiders forced an error from the Knights after the kick-off trundled over the dead ball line.
The Knights then conceded a penalty after failing to take the drop out in time, so the Raiders took the two points on offer extending their lead to six points.
Tamika Upton broke the Raiders defensive line putting the Knights on the front foot as her teammates rallied in support.
Southwell converted the try to tie the game up at 12-all with 20 minutes remaining.
The Knights continued to threaten again as Upton sparked an attacking set that saw Southwell step off her right foot to take the lead for the first time in the game.
The Raiders conceded another penalty to give the Knights a chance to kick a penalty goal which they converted successfully.
The Raiders fought hard but couldn't carry enough momentum, falling to an 8-point defeat at fulltime.
