Carney try-fecta as
Knights down Raiders

Round 11
Newcastle Knights 22 v Canberra Raiders 12
at EnergyAustralia Stadium
Referee: Jason Robinson

Match Summary: Knights winger Brian Carney has bagged a hat trick of tries as Newcastle downed a gallant Canberra Raiders 22-12 at EnergyAustralia Stadium this evening.

The Irish flanker crossed for two four-pointers to give the Knights a 12-6 lead at half time. But Carney's first try, scored courtesy of a cut-out ball from five eighth Kurt Gidley, was at best questionable with the pass going several yards forward.

The Raiders opened the scoring through Michael Hodgson in the seventh minute and later evened the score when centre Phil Graham crossed in the 50th minute. But Newcastle struck back when Carney posted his third try in the 58th minute.

Running on a rain-soaked pitch, Knights? winger Brad Tighe scored in 65th minute to give Newcastle a 10 point lead.

With Knights? half back Andrew Johns putting together a tremendous kicking game, the visitors were forced to do a mountain of defence. The Raiders however, showed plenty of promise and may have gone a small way to forget their 70-32 round two loss when the teams last met.

The victory sees the Knights now on top of the NRL ladder, but it may have been costly with full back David Seage coming off with a hamstring injury just before half time. The Raiders started the game without the veteran Jason Smith who is sidelined with a thumb injury, he was replaced by Todd Carney at five eighth.

Scorers:
Newcastle Knights: 22
Tries: Brad Tighe, Brian Carney(3)
Goals: Andrew Johns 3/4
Canberra Raiders: 12
Tries: Phillip Graham, Michael Hodgson
Goals: Clinton Schifcofske 2/2

Crowd: 18,236

By the Clock:
Kick off in Newcastle!

6 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
Try to Michael Hodgson for the Raiders. Clinton Schifcofske converts.
Raiders 6-0

15 min: NEWS Still no change to the score. 6-0 to the Raiders.

18 min: NEWS NO TRY - Knights denied.

28 min: TRY Newcastle Knights
Brian Carney scores out wide. Follows sustained pressure from the Knights. Andrew Johns converts from the sideline.
6 all.

32 min: TRY Newcastle Knights
Carney gets a double. Raiders error adds to the pressure and gives the Knights a repeat set. Conversion OK as Johns kicks another one from out wide.
Knights 12-6

Half time: Knights 12-6
The Knights having the better share of possession and have come close to scoring on a number of occasions. The Raiders defended well in the first half before conceding two tries in four minutes. The Raiders have also had their chances and this match is still up for grabs.

Raiders restart play. Knights in possession. Second half underway...

48 min: NEWS Raiders with the ball now after defending for repeat sets. Rain pouring down here in Newcastle.

50 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
Phillip Graham scores under the posts. Schifcofske converts and its all evens.
12 all.

58 min: TRY Newcastle Knights
Brian Carney bags a hat trick. Follows a clever kicking game from Johns who is playing the conditions well. Johns converts.
Knights 18-12

65 min: TRY Newcastle Knights
Brad Tighe scores for the Knights. Cut out ball from Johns after he throws a dummy. Rain pelting down and Johns unable to convert from out wide, the ball hitting the uprights.
Knights 22-12

70 min: NEWS Still bucketing down and still 22-12 to the Knights.

75 min: NEWS Still 22-12 to the Knights, and no chance for the Raiders now who have had to do mountain of work in defence.

Full time: Knights 22-12
As the rain eases off, the Knights have defeated the Raiders 22-12, winger Brian Carney picking up a hat trick. With Johns leading the way, the Knights put together a tremendous kicking game which allowed them to get repeat sets at the Raiders' line. The Raiders defended well but in the end, possession weighed too heavily against them.
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Andrew Johns (Knights)
2 - Brian Carney (Knights)
1 - Phillip Graham (Raiders)
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