Top of the Table Raiders Slay SharksThe Canberra Raiders Under 20s side have grabbed first position on the Toyota Cup ladder after an impressive victory against a lacklustre Cronulla Sharks 54-12 this afternoon at the Canberra Stadium.
The Green Machine dominated their opponents throughout the match scoring 10 tries to two in what can only be described as a rout. Raiders’ backs Malcolm Congoo and Mitch Cornish both had days to remember after scoring hat-tricks for the home side.
Despite the Raiders’ dominance, Cronulla were first on the board when in the 4th minute halfback Penani Manumalealii touched down under the posts. Five eighth Jake Walsh converted giving the Sharks a 6-0 lead
The Raiders responded though eight minutes later when Mitchell Cronin sliced his way through the heart of the Sharks defence before putting second rower Michael Chee-Kam in for a try. Cornish converted the try and the scores were level.
Chee Kam scored his second try 15 minutes after catching leaping high to catch cross field from Cornish who promptly converted the try giving the Raiders a 12-6 lead.
That lead was extended four minutes later when Cornish used his speed and strength to barge through some flimsy Cronulla close to the line. That was immediately followed by a try by Queensland under 20s representative Edrick Lee who crossed out on the left flank to open up a 24-6 lead at half time.
The Sharks crossed for the first try of the second half after back-rower James Hasson crashed over in the 43rd minute. However, the Raiders struck back five minutes later after Cornish danced his way through the Cronulla defence to score a fine individual try.
Congoo’s hat-trick came midway through the second half with the winger scoring all three of his tries within a 12 minute period. The second try was particularly spectacular with Congoo sprinting 85 metres to score after receiving a brilliant offload from Lee.
The Raiders drew up the half century during the last 10 minutes of the game after Cornish completed his hat trick in the 72nd minute. Josh Mitchell scored the last try of the match in the 75th minute.
The Raiders will travel to Brookvale next Sunday to take on the Manly Sea Eagles.
Source: Raiders
Topic: Raiders Claim First Spot on Ladder After Laying Waste to Sharks
