Determined Raiders outlast the
Roosters

Fulltime Score: Round 5 RAIDERS 24 v ROOSTERS 16

Match Summary:

In a rugged contest, the Canberra Raiders have overcome the Sydney Roosters by 24-16 for the first time since 2001, in front of more than 19,000 screaming fans.

Kris Kahler, Jason Smith and Clinton Schifcofske lead the way for the home side, with great support in the form of Lincoln Withers and Adam Mogg. Meanwhile, for the Roosters, Craig Fitzgibbon was his usual workman-like self, tackling and taking the ball up plenty whilst also scoring a try and booting two goals.

But it was the Raiders day, scoring their first victory over the Roosters since Ricky Stuart took over the coaching reigns in a sweet epilogue to the game. Brett Finch and Joel Monaghan had dismal returns to their former home ground, alongside Stuart, with the crowd taking delight in seeing three of their former sons admonished in the one game.

With the scoreline flattering them somewhat, it?s worrying form for the Roosters, who have now lost three straight and face some stiff opposition in the Bulldogs, Dragons and Cowboys in the coming weeks. Not so for the Raiders, who sit atop the ladder by themselves and will play the Sea Eagles, the Storm and the Knights over the next three rounds.

Scorers: RAIDERS 24 Tries: Withers, Smith, Schifcofske, Howell Goals: Schifcofske 4/5 ROOSTERS 16 Tries: Fitzgibbon, Flannery, Roberts Goals: Fitzgibbon 2/3

Halftime: Raiders 14-6.

By the clock:

Game underway in the Nation's Capital

5 min: A couple of penalties with some mistakes early on.

6 min: Raiders take a penalty goal through Schifcofske.

8 min: TRY - Canberra. Lincoln Withers busts them up the middle and posts the first try for the home team. Schifcofske converts and they lead 8-0 over the Roosters.

15 min: Possession favouring the Raiders heavily.

20 min: TRY - Raiders. Evergreen five-eighth Jason Smith puts up his hand and scores for the Green Machine. Schifcofscke converts and the score in 14-0 in favour of the home side.

25 min: Canberra still having the lion's share of possession, with twice as many hit-ups and half as many tackles going the way of the Raiders.

32 min: TRY - Roosters. Fitzgibbon hits back for Easts and converts his own try. Raiders14 Roosters 6.

38 min: Possession starting to even up a bit here in the latter stages of the first half.

40 min: TRY - Roosters. Flannery scores for the Bondi boys and gets them back in the game. Fitzgibbon fails with the kick and the score reads 14-10 in favour of the Raiders.

Halftime: The possession was fairly lopsided early on, with the Raiders taking advantage and posting the first two tries. The Roosters came back in the second stage of the first half and put two on through some good work.

41 min: And we're back in play at Canberra Stadium.

46 min: The teams just working their way into things here in the second half.

53 min: TRY - Raiders. Schifcofske backs up to score a great try and stretch Canberra's lead. He converts his own try and the home side lead the Roosters by 20 points to 10.

62 min: Absorbing clash down here, plenty of ball movement and the footy is seeing both ends of the park. Raiders seem to be getting back on top with a bit more possession.

67 min: TRY - Roosters. Amos Roberts score for the visitors to peg back the ten point lead. Fitzgibbon is on target with the boot and makes it 20-16 in favour of the Raiders.

76 min: TRY - Raiders. David Howell scores on the wing for the home team, who look to have wrapped this one up. Schifcofske fails to convert and the score is 24-16 in favour of Canberra.

Fulltime: The Raiders have prevailed in a hard fought victory.

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - K Kahler (Raiders) 2 - J Smith (Raiders) 1 - C Fitzgibbon (Roosters) -----------------------------------------