Canberra hold off troubled Sharks

The Canberra Raiders had to fight hard this evening to defeat a very committed Cronulla Sharks team by 20-13 in front of a very small but vocal crowd in Canberra.

From the onset, the Sharks were solid shrugging off beliefs the Club turmoil of the last week would see them fall apart.

They went into the halftime break with a one point lead over the Raiders, with some punishing defence at times halting the Raiders in their tracks.

A better second half display by the Canberra side, with 2 tries to Vidot, had them out to a 20-7 lead. A late comeback by the Sharks bringing the score to the final result of 20-13.

Now with three consecutive wins, the Raiders finals goal is now back on track. Cronulla on the other hand can hold their heads high after a good performance tonight.

Match Details
Canberra Raiders 20 defeated Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 13
National Rugby League - NRL - Round 20 - Saturday July 24, 2010 5:30pm
Venue: Canberra Stadium
Referee: Matt Cecchin and Ashley Klein
Video Referee: Russell Smith
Touch Judges: Grant Atkins and Ricky McFarlane
Crowd: 0
Halftime: Canberra Raiders 6 Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 7

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Travis Waddell (1 Try)
2 Points - Paul Gallen
1 Point - Tom Learoyd-Lahrs

Canberra Raiders (20)
Tries: Daniel Vidot (2), Travis Waddell
Conversions: Jarrod Croker (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Jarrod Croker (1/1)

Cronulla Sutherland Sharks (13)
Tries: Ben Pomeroy, Kade Snowden
Field Goals: Trent Barrett (1/1)
Conversions: Scott Porter (2/2)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Good crowd in this evening at Canberra Stadium, wrapped up ready for a cool evening. Flanagan set to coach his first NRL game for the Sharks after Stewart left.
Tupou leads the Sharks side out in his 150th match. The Raiders in their blue and white 'Brain Injury Australia' strip. Shillington a late withdrawl for the Raiders
1 min: The Sharks get the game underway.
3 min: Steady start by both sides.
4 min: Dugan just pulls out of the tackle after Gardner goes for the high kick. Penalty awarded to the Sharks.
5 min: First chance for the Sharks on attack with a scum 20 metres out from their line. A forward pass halts any pressure.
7 min: Penalty to the Sharks 10 metres out from their line, they take the tap. Gallen and Logan exchange words.
8 min: TRY
Nice little step by Pomeroy to get pass 3 defenders to score.
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 6-0
11 min: The Raiders down the right end of the field, Scott Logan on the 5th tackle, kicks the ball dead.
13 min: Another mistake by the Raiders inside their twenty, and the Sharks are on attack again.
17 min: The Raiders looking a little sluggish so far in the match, the Sharks looking confident.
18 min: Calls not going the Raiders way at all so far, the home crowd not happy.
22 min: NO TRY - Sharks. Video ref rules Porter offside from the kick when it looked as though Covell had scored out wide.
24 min: First chance for the Raiders on attack. Changeover just before their line.
26 min: GOAL LINE DROPOUT - Raiders. Kick thru by Campese is forced in goal by the opposition.
27 min: Turnover 10 metres out to the Sharks, as Monaghan just couldn't control a nice high kick by Campese.
29 min: Barrett diffuses another high kick to the in goal area for the Raiders.
31 min: GOAL LINE DROPOUT - Raiders. A 79 metre set for the Raiders following a break by Dugan resulting in another chance for the home side.
33 min: The defence by the Sharks holding well.
34 min: Another 78 metres gain by the Raiders. A knock on by the Sharks gives the home side a great opportunity 10 metres out from their line.
36 min: TRY
Back to back sets to the Raiders close to their line finally pays off with Waddell sneaking over the line close to the posts.
6 all
38 min: Relieving penalty to the Raiders and they launch their attack on the halfway line.
40 min: Penalty to the Sharks in the dying moments of the half.
40 min: FIELD GOAL
The roll on from the penalty for the Sharks is good with Barrett nailing a field goal to finish the half ahead on the scoreboard.
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 7-6
40 min: HALFTIME: The Sharks looking impressive following the unsettled week. The Raiders showing glimpses late in the half of the side that we saw last week.
41 min: Second half underway.
42 min: Early penalty for the Raiders for a strip.
43 min: PENALTY GOAL
Points important in the match, the Raiders elect to kick for goal.
Canberra Raiders 8-7
44 min: Another penalty going the Raiders way as Leayord-Lahrs is dumped heavily in a tackle.
46 min: Logan gets a dislocated finger delt to but leaves the field. The Raiders attack good, the Sharks defence better, as they shut down the go forward of the Raiders.
48 min: Penalty count building, Sharks penalised for a flop as Leayord-Lahrs flies onto the ball.
49 min: A bit of feeling in the match. Campese ruled to have knocked on close to the line. He wasn't happy and a bit of niggle between the two sides starts, nothing major but a bit of feeling there.
53 min: NO TRY- Raiders. Tilse looks to have twisted his way across the line, but committed defnce by the Sharks has the video ref ruling against the home side.
56 min: TRY
Sustained attack by the Raiders pays off as Vidot crosses the line out wide. Great kick by Croker.
Canberra Raiders 14-7
58 min: Logan won't be returning to the game as he has a fracture in his hand.
60 min: Penalty to the Sharks gives them much needed possession 40 metres out from their line.
61 min: Great catch by Monaghan under pressure halts a certain try, small consulation for his 2 earlier knock ons on the tryline.
63 min: Dugan does well to get across the line back into the field of play saving another set from the Sharks.
65 min: Another penalty to Canberra and they're on attack 40 metres out from their line, with the crowd right behind them.
66 min: Morris goes from the scraps after the ball goes to ground but knocks it on. Scrum 20 metres out - Raiders.
68 min: TRY
The Raiders spread the ball on the 5th tackle. Vidot does well to stretch out to score under 3 defenders. Video ref used to rule no interference in an earlier play.
Canberra Raiders 20-7
70 min: Another relieving penalty giving the Sharks another opportunity to add to their score.
71 min: TRY
Nice little dummy half run by Morris helps the Sharks attack. Snowden uses his strength to force his way thru the defence and over the line.
Canberra Raiders 20-13
73 min: 40/20 - Sharks. Barrett fires up the side with a great kick for the Sharks.
75 min: Dugan manages to regain the ball in goal only to get a penalty following Gallen being called up for a high shot.
77 min: Great set by the Raiders to get the ball down the length of the field.
80 min: FULLTIME: A better second half by the Raiders sees them come away the victors against a very committed Sharks side following their club turmoil in the last week.