The Canberra Raiders under 20s side has beaten the Gold Coast Titans 34-14 in a dominant performance at Canberra Stadium.The Raiders came into the match looking for their first win since round 16 and the last placed Titans proved the perfect opponents for the Raiders to break their two match losing streak against.
The Raiders were in control for most of the game and according to coach Andrew Dunemann probably would have won by more had it not been for a series of missed scoring opportunities midway through the second half.
"We bombed about nine out and out chances which sort of kept them in the game? but overall it's good to be back on track," Dunemann said.
Despite the Raiders' dominance the Titans were the first to score in the 15th minute when second rower Sam Gee crossed the stripe on the back of a penalty close to the Raiders' line. Titans' half back Jamal Fogarty was unsuccessful with his conversion attempt and the visitors led 4-0.
The Raiders responded in the 22nd minute when Anthony Milford and Dane Clarke combined down the left side to send back rower Blake Seager in for a try which Milford promptly converted to give the Green Machine a 6-4 lead.
The home side then went back to back less than five minutes later when Milford and centre Matthew Allwood took advantage of some sloppy handling by the Titans to score an impressive long range try against the run of play.
The Titans were on the attack, probing the Raiders right hand defence when five eighth Matt Beddow dropped the ball 10 metres out. The ball fell at the feet of Allwood who kicked it deep, Milford then showed some blistering pace to recover the Steeden on the halfway line before passing it back to Allwood who scored in the corner.
The Titans had the last say of the first half when an uncharacteristic defensive lapse by the Raiders allowed interchange forward Zach Friend to score a relatively simple try adjacent to the posts. Fogarty converted and at half time the Raiders were ahead 12-10.
The Raiders extended their lead to six points just five minutes after the resumption when on the back of a scrum win 10 metres from the Titans' line, half back Mitch Cornish stepped his way past three defenders to score a fine individual try. Unfortunately, Milford was unable to convert.
They looked to have scored again eight minutes later when lock Hayden Crockett's cut out ball saw winger Brad Smith cross out wide. However, referee David Munro controversially ruled that Crockett's pass was forward
Debutant forward Scott Doyle was the next to get on the score sheet for the home side, when he crossed for a converted try in the 57th minute after being put into space by a nice short ball from Cornish.
Milford and Doyle capped off the victory for the Green Machine when they scored two converted tries in the last 10 minutes of the game. Titans lock Dylan Harten then scored a consolation try in the final minute of play.
Scott Doyle was named man of the match after a particularly strong performance in his debut game. Aside from scoring two tries the talented forward ran for 127 metres, made 16 tackles, 2 line breaks and had 1 try assist.
"To win the man of the match award in my first 20s game was unreal? I still can't believe it," a clearly elated Doyle said after the match
Doyle played a major role in the Raiders' SG Ball side's charge to the Grand Final this year and broke into the NYC after some very impressive showings for West Belconnen in the Canberra Raiders Cup.
"It [the step up from SG Ball] has been good. The training's good and the games are a bit faster but it's something hopefully I'll get used to," Doyle said.
The Raiders travel to Toyota Stadium next Sunday to play the 11th placed Sharks.
Source: Rleague.com
Topic: Dominant Display Sees Raiders Break Two Game Losing Streak
