Young Raiders Produce Come-back Victory over WarriorsA highly committed Canberra Raiders Under 20s have defeated the New Zealand Warriors 32-28 in an high quality contest this afternoon at Canberra Stadium.
The junior Raiders were certainly confident coming into the match after chalking up an impressive victory against the Cowboys last weekend 42-18.
However, they certainly had their work cut out for them against the defending NYC premiers and ultimately won the game through a strong second half comeback.
The Raiders started the first half strongly opening the scoring through a slashing 70 metre try to centre Edrick Lee in 4th minute. Mitch Cornish converted the try and the Raiders were 6-0 up. However, the Warriors levelled the scores four minutes later when back rower John Palavi crossed for a converted try from close range.
The visitors then went ahead in the 14th minute when some lax defence from the Raiders allowed lock David Bahana to cross. Centre Sio Siua Taukeiaho converted the try giving the Warriors a six point break.
The Raiders came close to bridging the gap in the 14th minute when some good lead up play from halfback Mitchell Cornish saw back-rower Joe Bradley cross the stripe; however, referee Michael Laverty controversially ruled a double movement.
The Warriors dominated possession and field position for the last 20 minutes of the half, however, during this period the Raiders’ defence was particularly impressive as they repelled set after set on their own line. However, the pressure eventually told with the Warriors running in two quick tries through Taukeiaho and Sione Feao and opening 22-6 lead at half time.
The Raiders came out firing in the second half scoring just five minutes after the resumption of play when fullback Jack Ahearn pounced on a deft little grubber from interchange hooker Josh Mitchell. Cornish nailed the conversion from out wide and with 35 minutes left in the contest the Raiders trailed 22-12.
The deficit was reduced to four points just eight minutes later, when some quick hands down the left hand blindside saw winger Malcolm Congoo race 70 metres to score a try which was duly converted by Cornish.
The Warriors struck back though in the 60th minute when hooker Siliva Havili crossed for a converted try. However in the 68th minute Cornish used some fancy footwork close to the line to bamboozle the Warriors defence and cross over under the posts.
Malcolm Congoo sent the home fans into raptures just two minutes later when he crossed for his second long range try of the afternoon to level the scores. Unfortunately Cornish missed the conversion from out-wide and with eight minutes left the in the game the scores were all locked up.
However, the Raiders finally snatched the lead when Cronin used his speed and strength to score out wide despite the attention of three Warriors defenders. Cornish’s conversion was waved away giving the Raiders a four point advantage and setting up a dramatic last four minutes of the match in which the Raiders defence once again stood up to repel a series of last gasp raids from the Warriors.
Best for the Raiders this afternoon was big centre Edrick Lee, whose bursts down the left hand corridor created a series of headaches for the Warriors defence throughout the match.
Source: Raiders
Topic: High Quality Toyota Cup Match Sees a Big Comeback Win
