Penrith punish rusty Roosters
8 hours ago | Aidan Edgecomb
The Canberra Raiders have clapped themselves victorious in Aidan Sezer's 100th NRL game, coming out 30-18 winners against the Parramatta Eels at GIO Stadium today in front of over 17,000 fans.
How can anyone hate the viking clap? What a grand entrance for the Raiders. The claps are loud by the 17,653 strong crowd!
The match started off easy-going, both sides completing a set before Raiders were awarded a scrum by placing pressure on Clint Gutherson, who had nothing to do but kick the ball into touch.
A flop tackle by Parramatta saw the Raiders earn an early penalty. Off the back of the penalty, a grubber kick by Aidan Sezer saw Soliola run through the Eels' defense, take a lucky bounce, and ground the ball over the try-line. The Raiders had opened up their try-scoring account and Croker's conversion pushed the home side ahead 6-0.
Soon after, a possible try to Jordan Rapana was disallowed, as his hand was on the ground over the sideline, before the ball was grounded.
In the 24th minute, Parramatta scored a try, that was a little controversial, a possible forward pass leading to Bevan French crossing. Within five minutes after the French four-pointer, Jordan Rapana redeemed his earlier no try by keeping within the sideline on this occasion, just millimetres from being out. His pass to Blake Austin sees a fantastic try scored by the home side, who now led 12-6.
The floodgates opened - more points for the Raiders with Rapana losing the ball backward, and Leilua grounding the ball whilst he kept himself in the field of play! Just short of half time, they were over again with the skipper Jarrod Croker running over the line for his 100th NRL try! He became the third Raider to reach the 100 try milestone, and one of only five players to have 100 tries and more than 1000 points.
Converting his own try, Croker's contributions meant the Raiders were up 22-6 at the break.
The second half saw an early 40/20 by Corey Norman, leading to Michael Jennings crashing over the line. Within minutes, Parramatta had another try to Kaysa Pritchard. The Eels clawed their way back to 22-18, only down by one try.
But with a try to Nick Cotric, a Mounties RLFC junior, the Raiders had a buffer once again. The try converted had the hosts up by ten, then a penalty against Parramatta for being too eager off the line saw Raiders take the two, and bring their score up to 30-18.
NEXT WEEK:
Canberra head up to Cbus Super Stadium to take on the Titans, while Parramatta head across the ditch to Mt Smart, and attempt to recover themselves from 3 losses, against the Warriors.
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