CANBERRA, Sept 9, 2012 (AFP) - - The Canberra Raiders continued their late-season revival when they downed the Cronulla Sharks 34-16 in their National Rugby League elimination final on Sunday.
The Raiders will now play South Sydney in a sudden-death semi-final next weekend after scoring four late tries to outlast a gallant Cronulla.
Canberra were ahead by just two points with 13 minutes to go before storming home, former Cronulla player Blake Ferguson scoring a double to rub salt into the Sharks' wounds.
It had been a spirited performance from the Sharks until that point after they lost star flyhalf Todd Carney for much of the second half when he was forced from the field with an Achilles injury.
Cronulla's Ricky Leutele had opened the scoring in the seventh minute as the Sharks dominated the opening period, until Canberra's Sandor Earl scored two tries in as many minutes midway through the first half.
The Raiders then took control and they were rewarded when Josh Papalli crossed just before the break.
Cronulla showed plenty of fight after halftime and got within four points thanks to a Wade Graham try.
A lack of discipline allowed Jarrod Croker to kick a penalty, only for Cronulla to come back again when Nathan Stapleton crossed out wide.
However, the Raiders asserted their authority once more and cleared away for a deserved win.
acd/ia
Source: http://au.rd.yahoo.com/sport/rss/rugbyleague/*http%3A//au.sports.yahoo.com/league/news/article/-/14800761/rugbyl-raiders-march-on-in-nrl/
Topic: RugbyL: Raiders march on in NRL (AFP)
