Raiders downed by Tigers in SG Ball Grand FinalThe Canberra Raiders SG Ball were defeated in a high scoring Grand final on Saturday afternoon, going down 42-20 to the Balmain Tigers at St Mary’s Stadium.
In a superb match between two very talented sides that had plenty of feeling, a dominant second half performance saw minor premiers Balmain stretch out an early lead which was too much for the young Raiders to reel in.
Balmain got off to a perfect start when centre Nathan Milone stretched out with one arm in the third minute to score out wide after the ball was spread left. Fullback Mason Farrell converted the try for a 6-0 lead.
Two minutes later, the Raiders hit back when they shifted the ball left for half-back Anthony Milford to send winger Rourke O'Sullivan over in the left corner. Milford's conversion attempt went left of the posts for a 6-4 scoreline.
Canberra extended their lead to 8-6 when Milford found support outside in second rower Scott Doyle to crash over. Milford converted the try for a 10-6 lead after 14 minutes.
Balmain hit back immediately when half-back Mark Daoud delivered a sharp pass to his right for centre Leva Li to crash through two defenders to score out wide. Farrell failed to convert the try for a 10-all scoreline after 20 minutes.
A beautiful crisp pass from Daoud saw forward Rhys Armstrong hit a gap to beat one defender to score behind the posts in the 30 minute. Farrell converted the try to give the Tigers a 16-10 lead five minutes before half-time.
The Tigers came close to scoring off a Canberra kick out on the full when winger Max Dimarco was taken into touch just before hitting the corner post after quick hands by Milone and Farrell.
Balmain went into half-time leading 16-10 in an entertaining first half which had plenty of feeling.
Just like the start to the match, Balmain got off to a superb start to the second half when second-rower Daniel Rakvin used sheer strength and leg drive to push through three defenders to score out wide.
Farrell converted the try to give the Tigers a 22-10 lead three minutes into the second half.
Two minutes later, Balmain went to a 26-10 lead when Milone scored his second try. It came after hooker Manaia Cherrington darted out from dummy half on the last tackle before offloading one handed as he fell to the ground. The ball was spread left through second-rower Salesi Funaki and five-eighth Mitchell Moses for Milone to score his second try.
Farrell converted the try from out wide for a 28-10 lead with 30 minutes remaining.
Canberra hit back when Milford stretched out with one arm to score out wide. He failed to convert his own try to leave the Raiders trailing 28-14 with 23 minutes remaining.
Moses, who copped a knock to the head from a chip kick the minute before, then delivered a nice ball to put Rakvin in a hole for the powerful second-rower to drag two defenders over with him for his second try for a 32-14 lead.
Farrell converted the try to give Balmain a commanding 34-14 lead with 16 minutes remaining.
Moses was at it again three minutes later when he sliced through a hole to race 20 metres before turning an inside pass for Alex Zarounas to score for a 38-14 lead. Farell converted the try to give Balmain a 40-14 lead with 11 minutes remaining.
Canberra pulled the deficit in when Josh Chudleigh scored. Milford converted the try for a 40-20 scoreline.
Farrell converted a penalty goal from 20 metres in front of the posts for a 42-20 lead with four minutes remaining.
Balmain prop Leki Taumalolo was sent off on full-time following a brawl.
Source: Raiders
Topic: Raiders downed by Tigers in SG Ball Grand Final
