Canberra roll on with sixth win against second place Panthers

Canberra have withheld a late charge from Penrith to record their first finals victory in years 24-22 in front of 16,668 fans.

Canberra had it all to lose tonight and Penrith could gain a vital week off to rest up any nagging injuries but it would be the green machine who struck first through new father Terry Campese taking on the line. Jarrod Croker from besides the posts would slot the conversion.

Penrith would hit back through with makeshift fullback Michael Gordon crossing the tryline and levelling the scoreline again. Canberra would assern their dominance again with Dane Tilse just streamrolling through some flimsy defence to give them back the lead. Bronson Harrison would gladly accept a football knocked back from Vidot to give Canberra an 18-12 lead at halftime.

Canberra would just continue to dominate the Panthers who were second after the regular season, Terry Campese would jink his way to a double and a twelve point lead for the Raiders. Penrith clawed their way back though, Sandor Earl showing maybe he should have taken up gymnastics after two great aerial efforts but it would end up being a Michael Gordon goal seperating the two. He missed and the Raiders advance and get a home semi final next week.

Match Details
Penrith Panthers 22 were defeated by Canberra Raiders 24
National Rugby League - Finals Week 1 - Saturday September 11, 2010 8:30pm
Venue: CUA Stadium
Referee: Ben Cummins and Steve Lyons
Video Referee: Russell Smith
Touch Judges: Jeff Younis and Ricky McFarlane
Crowd: 16,668
Halftime: Penrith Panthers 12 Canberra Raiders 18

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Terry Campese (1 Try)
2 Points - David Shillington
1 Point - Sandor Earl (2 Tries)

Penrith Panthers (22)
Tries: Michael Gordon (2), Sandor Earl (2)
Conversions: Michael Gordon (3/4)

Canberra Raiders (24)
Tries: Dane Tilse, Terry Campese, Reece Robinson, Bronson Harrison
Field Goals: Josh Dugan (0/1)
Conversions: Jarrod Croker (4/4)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome to CUA Stadium for what will be an attacking clash, between Canberra who are riding the momentum of five straight wins against the 2nd place Panthers who have put on 100 points in their last two home games. Equation is simple, Canberra lose and they are eliminated, Penrith will get a week off with a victory.
Toyota Cup was a walkover for the Bulldogs destroying the Raiders, 52 points to 18. Canberra have to hope the Manly u20 can't produce an upset against the 3rd placed Warriors at WIN Jubilee tomorrow.
1 min: We're away at CUA Stadium.
5 min: TRY
Campese is close to the line and goes himself, slamming the ball down. Croker slots it.
Canberra Raiders 6-0
10 min: TRY
Gordon hits back for the Panthers to bring us back level.
6 all
16 min: Canberra get a piggyback penalty and will go on the attack.
18 min: TRY
Tilse off the quick play the ball, just powers through the defence and slams the ball down to give Canberra the lead again. Croker from in front smashes it through the uprights.
Canberra Raiders 12-6
21 min: Finally the dummyhalf runs have worked for Penrith, Kingston draws the penalty.
23 min: TRY
Luke Lewis comes from an angle and almost gets to the line himself, offloads to Gordon and he has a double. Gordon locks us up again and he becomes the only Panther to kick 100 goals.
12 all
25 min: Frank Pritchard is limping from the field, that is a serious blow for Penrith.
26 min: Campese launches it high but Monaghan has knocked it on. Penrith will just run it out.
27 min: A silly penalty from Picker, attacking the legs of Walsh.
28 min: Canberra have a penalty and streamrolling their way downfield but Walsh is there to collect an easy bomb.
32 min: Travis Waddell sprints from dummyhalf and runs into the forwards, hearing the sweet sound of the referees whistle.
Bronson Harrison might have a try, checking if it's a knock on.
35 min: TRY
Canberra launch another aerial raid, Vidot bats it back for the waiting hands of Bronson Harrison who collects the easiest try he'll score. Croker from the 20 metre marker hits the post and it goes in.
Canberra Raiders 18-12
38 min: Penrith have a penalty with two to go, can they level the scores again?
40 min: Penrith revert back to the trusty bomb but it hsn't worked this time or all half, Canberra will work it out to end the half.
40 min: NO! Campese tries a grubber through the line and Vidot dives on the ball after a Penrith knock on. Canberra will have a feed with five seconds to go.
40 min: FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT
Bronson Harrison feeds the scrum and a sloppy pass to Dugan who fires one wide. Halftime and I'm buggered already.
Canberra Raiders 18-12
41 min: Luke Walsh boots the ball deep and the second half is on.
42 min: Penrith try to spread it early and Jennings drops it cold.
44 min: TRY
Off the scrum, a long pass from Dugan to Robinson sends him away, he beats three cover defenders and scores. Canberra in a commanding position. Croker puts it straight over the black dot.
Canberra Raiders 24-12
47 min: Canberra are well on top, after Waterhouse was drawn into a silly penalty. Canberra though drop it on first tackle through Buttriss.
49 min: Penrith are looking shellshocked and they aren't working their plays properly. They drop it on third there.
53 min: Penrith will have to win this with fifteen men, after Waterhouse and Pritchard have been declared not to return.
54 min: Canberra have let the bomb bounce and finally have been made to pay. Penrith have a full set on Canberra's line.
55 min: Walsh though throws a terrible ball from dummy-half and Lewis knocks on.
56 min: A late count penalty to Canberra, will have Penrith on their heels. Field goal time for the Raiders?
Campese could have a try here, just checking it.
57 min: Penrith have had their blushes saved, with an obstrution called. Penrith players getting a stern warning though.
62 min: TRY
Sandor Earl leaps high and beats the pack, swivels on his back and plants it down. Russell Smith couldn't conclude anything from the replays, sent it back down to the referee and he points to the spot. Gordon takes his time and walks in slowly but the ball hits the upright and no goal.
Canberra Raiders 24-16
64 min: Penrith have a scrum feed on their own twenty after a Raiders error.
65 min: Penrith have handed possession back to the Raiders with a stupid error. Fensom went close but Campese was composed and toed it through and Purtell was hammered over the deadball line.
66 min: A shocking error from the return of the dropout by Vidot, who spills the lollies.
Sandor Earl could have his second after a superman like dive.
69 min: TRY
Sandor Earl leaped high with his first but he did his impression of superman for his second, after a bump from Vidot he still managed to score. Michael Gordon has learnt from his earlier kick and sneaks this one within the posts.
Canberra Raiders 24-22
70 min: Sandor has taken a quick trip from the penthouse to the doghouse after dropping it on his own twenty metre line.
71 min: Travis Waddell tries the old harbour bridge pass and it's judged forward otherwise Vidot would have walked the ball in.
74 min: Josh Dugan bursts through the defensive line and has one to beat, he chips but Jennings recovers it. Jennings knocks the ball on though. Raiders scrum.
76 min: Daniel Vidot is denied again, with another forward pass this time through the hands. Definitely forward and good call from the referees.
77 min: Penrith try to work it inside to Jennings but he drops it again.
78 min: It's a knock on but it's against the Panthers! Burns is judged to have knocked it into the Canberra player. Raiders just have to play the game out now.
79 min: Campese stabs another one through but it's blocked by Lewis and he's knocked it on.
80 min: Penrith have spilt the ball and Canberra will win the game of football. Goodbye 2010 for the New Zealand Warriors.