StephenP
ArnoldRaiders outlast Titans in NYC
April 5th 2008 08:08
A spectacular 70-metre try to Canberra Raiders centre Justin Carney has snatched a last gasp 28-22 victory over the Gold Coast Titans in the Toyota Under 20 match at Skilled Park on Saturday night.
With the scores locked at 22-all inside the final forty seconds, Carney bumped off three defenders and carried another two over the line to complete an entertaining five tries to four victory.
Both sides struggled with possession in the greasy conditions, with the Raiders willingness to chance their arm in attack securing them the much deserved two competition points.
Canberra stunned the locals with an early try to prop Zac Merritt inside the opening ten minutes, with some poor handling from the home team providing the visitors the early ascendancy.
But a try against the run of the play sparked the home side into action, with powerhouse Titans centre Kingi Aka’oula climbing high to take a Matthew Nuttal bomb, and proceed to steamroll his way through two Canberra defenders to get the Titans on the board.
Cody Nelson’s 19th minute conversion and a further penalty goal in the 33rd minute pushed the Titans out to a handy 8-6 lead, before Canberra half Matt Smith jinked his way through some tiring Titans defence to hand the visitors a slight 10-8 8 half-time advantage.
Canberra extended their lead just five minutes into the second stanza, with flying fullback Josh Dugan burrowing his way over from close range.
Dugan had no problems converting his own try, pushing the Raiders out to a crucial 16-8 lead given the inclement conditions.
But not to be outdone, nippy Titans five-eight Nelson was able to weave his own bit of magic to get the home side back into the contest, with the livewire number six leaving defenders in his wake as he dotted down to make it 16-12 inside the final 30 minutes.
It was Raiders fullback Dugan that brought the Robina crowd alight with an incisive run in the 60th minute, with reserve forward Andrew Edwards capitalising with a simple try off the back of Dugan’s length of the field effort.
Dugan’s third goal of the night pushed the Raiders lead out to 22-12, with the visitor’s penchant for razzle dazzle football starting to create holes in the tiring Titans defence.
But not to be outdone, the home side took full advantage of a Canberra fumble, with destructive Titans centre Esi Tonga scoring to keep the home side alive at 22-18 heading into the final ten minutes.
And teenage Titans sensation Will Matthews ensured a thrilling finish when he slammed the ball down to level the scores with just four minutes remaining, but it was Carney’s explosive effort that snatched the last minute victory for the visiting Canberra side.
The Gold Coast now travel to Parramatta Stadium next Friday night to take on the competition leading Parramatta Eels, whilst the Raiders will play host to the Wests Tigers next Sunday
Canberra Raiders 28
Tries: Zac Merritt, Matt Smith, Josh Dugan, Andrew Edwards, Justin Carney
Goals: Josh Dugan 4
defeated
Gold Coast Titans 22
Tries: Kingi Aka’oula, Cody Nelson, Esi Tonga, Will Matthews
Goals: Cody Nelson 3
At Skilled Park
Referee – Justin Davis
With the scores locked at 22-all inside the final forty seconds, Carney bumped off three defenders and carried another two over the line to complete an entertaining five tries to four victory.
Both sides struggled with possession in the greasy conditions, with the Raiders willingness to chance their arm in attack securing them the much deserved two competition points.
Canberra stunned the locals with an early try to prop Zac Merritt inside the opening ten minutes, with some poor handling from the home team providing the visitors the early ascendancy.
But a try against the run of the play sparked the home side into action, with powerhouse Titans centre Kingi Aka’oula climbing high to take a Matthew Nuttal bomb, and proceed to steamroll his way through two Canberra defenders to get the Titans on the board.
Cody Nelson’s 19th minute conversion and a further penalty goal in the 33rd minute pushed the Titans out to a handy 8-6 lead, before Canberra half Matt Smith jinked his way through some tiring Titans defence to hand the visitors a slight 10-8 8 half-time advantage.
Canberra extended their lead just five minutes into the second stanza, with flying fullback Josh Dugan burrowing his way over from close range.
Dugan had no problems converting his own try, pushing the Raiders out to a crucial 16-8 lead given the inclement conditions.
But not to be outdone, nippy Titans five-eight Nelson was able to weave his own bit of magic to get the home side back into the contest, with the livewire number six leaving defenders in his wake as he dotted down to make it 16-12 inside the final 30 minutes.
It was Raiders fullback Dugan that brought the Robina crowd alight with an incisive run in the 60th minute, with reserve forward Andrew Edwards capitalising with a simple try off the back of Dugan’s length of the field effort.
Dugan’s third goal of the night pushed the Raiders lead out to 22-12, with the visitor’s penchant for razzle dazzle football starting to create holes in the tiring Titans defence.
But not to be outdone, the home side took full advantage of a Canberra fumble, with destructive Titans centre Esi Tonga scoring to keep the home side alive at 22-18 heading into the final ten minutes.
And teenage Titans sensation Will Matthews ensured a thrilling finish when he slammed the ball down to level the scores with just four minutes remaining, but it was Carney’s explosive effort that snatched the last minute victory for the visiting Canberra side.
The Gold Coast now travel to Parramatta Stadium next Friday night to take on the competition leading Parramatta Eels, whilst the Raiders will play host to the Wests Tigers next Sunday
Canberra Raiders 28
Tries: Zac Merritt, Matt Smith, Josh Dugan, Andrew Edwards, Justin Carney
Goals: Josh Dugan 4
defeated
Gold Coast Titans 22
Tries: Kingi Aka’oula, Cody Nelson, Esi Tonga, Will Matthews
Goals: Cody Nelson 3
At Skilled Park
Referee – Justin Davis
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