The Raiders NSW Cup team claimed a commanding 42-12 victory over the Newtown Jets at GIO Stadium Canberra on Sunday afternoon.
A strong second half from the Raiders saw them score 30 points in the final 40 to help secure the win.
The match began with a slow and steady start, with both teams playing set for set.
Ten metres out, halfback Mitch Henderson managed to grubber to himself and planted the ball over the line. With a successful conversion from Adam Cook, the score was six – nil at 13 minutes.
From here the game was a back-and-forth contest, with both teams struggling to get past each other’s defensive lines for majority of the first half, until Nick Cotric managed to cross the try line five minutes out from half time. Converted by Cook, Raiders went into the second half with a 12-point lead.
The pace picked up in the second half, with both teams showing their hunger for a win.
Three minutes in, Raiders Logan Lewis was taken off due to a HIA with Luke Webley coming off the bench.
A quick offload from Zac Woolford opened the gates for Peter Taateo to score the Raiders first try of the second half.
The Jets showed their desperation to bounce back, quickly shifting the ball to the right-hand corner for fullback Mawene Hiroti to score their first try of the day. Hiroti followed up with a successful conversion, bringing the score to 18-6.
Quick to bounce back, Raiders forward Mitchell Spencer crossed the line only a few minutes later.
The demolition job continued with back-to-back tries from centre Cotric and halfback Henderson, both scoring their second of the day.
Jed Stuart collected valuable metres on the wing and planted the ball at the posts with ten minutes to go. An impressive performance from Cook saw him successfully convert all tries of the day, bringing the score to an astounding 42-6.
In the last five minutes of play, Blake Hosking scored a consolation try for the Sharks. With Hiroti adding the extras again, the final score of the day came to 42-12.
The Raiders NSW Cup side will look to carry over this good form as they play the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles next Saturday, at 4 Pines Park, Sydney.
