Grim determination rewards the Raiders in Penrith

Match Summary:

A small but vocal crowd turned out at CUA Stadium to see the home side go down to the Raiders by 20-16, in what turned out to be a determined effort by the Canberra side.

Penrith opened the scoring early in the match courtesy of a penalty kick but it was the visitors who scored the first two tries of the game to lead 12-2 12 minutes into the match.

A solid fightback by the Penrith side saw them ahead at halftime by 16-12 with Jarrod Sammut outstanding in the halfback role, causing havoc.

With the news at halftime that the Raiders would be without Logan and Zillman for the remainder of the match due to injury, the Panthers must've thought they were in with a shot.

However unforced errors by the Penrith side, great defence by the Raiders and a grim determination, the Canberra Raiders not only kept their hosts scoreless in the 2nd half, they also snuck past them to nail the victory.

Match Details:

Round 2 - Full Time :: March 22nd, 2008 5:30pm Venue: CUA Stadium, Penrith Referee: Jason Robinson

Penrith Panthers (16) Tries: Rhys Wesser, Brad Tighe Goals: Jarrod Sammut (4/4) Canberra Raiders (20) Tries: William Zillman, Bronx Goodwin, Marshall Chalk Goals: Todd Carney (4/4)

LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Match 3 Points: Terry Campese 2 Points: Jarrod Sammut 1 Point: Alan Tongue

Live Commentary:

Greasy conditions at CUA Stadium. Teams as per programme. Sammut replaces Joe Williams as halfback for the Panthers.

1 min: Kick off for the Panthers!

3 min: Logan on report for the Raiders following a high shot. Back to back penalties for the Panthers

3 min: PENALTY GOAL Penrith Panthers From right out in front, easy kick for Sammut Penrith Panthers 2-0 Penrith Panthers 2-0

5 min: TRY Canberra Raiders 5th tackle kick by Sammut is well taken by Zillman who wrong foots Rooney to run the length of the field to score. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful. Canberra Raiders 6-2

9 min: Once again quick play by Sammut who regathers a chip thru only to lose the ball forward in a hard tackle

12 min: TRY Canberra Raiders Quick hands by the Raiders who are looking sharp tonight and a flying Goodwin is under the posts. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful. Canberra Raiders 12-2

16 min: Overall possession favouring the Raiders at 65%

18 min: TRY Penrith Panthers A scrum to the Panthers 30 metres out sets up a good try for one of the local heroes, Rhys Wesser. Sammut once again heavily involved. Conversion attempt by Jarrod Sammut successful. Canberra Raiders 12-8

21 min: Quick plays by the Panthers including a busting run by Civoniceva has the Panthers right on the goal line. Penalty to come for Sammut being held back in the set.Canberra Raiders 12-8

22 min: PENALTY GOAL Penrith Panthers Sammut from out in front makes no mistake with the kick. Canberra Raiders 12-10

29 min: Sammut, after the Panthers looked to be on the back foot, nails a 40/20 bringing his side 20 metres out from their line on attack.

30 min: TRY Penrith Panthers Following the 40/20 by Sammut, the video ref confirms Tighe dots the ball down out wide for the Panthers, taking 2 defenders with him. Conversion attempt by Jarrod Sammut successful. Penrith Panthers 16-12

34 min: A mistake by the Panthers allows the Raiders attacking options 30 metres out from their line. 5th tackle sees the ball go over the dead ball line.

35 min: NO TRY PANTHERS - Sammut looked to have scored for the Panthers, however the video ref rules Ayton was offside from the kick through

36 min: NO TRY RAIDERS - A knock on by the Raiders at the goal line also stops the scoreboard increasing.

38 min: Zillman for the Raiders leaving the field with a left knee injury.

40 min: Priddis seemingly unintentionally kicked Thompson in the head in the tackle, who took offence. The Panthers players came in pretty fast. Penalty awarded to the Raiders for the Priddis kick.

40 min: PENALTY GOAL Canberra Raiders From out in front Carney adds 2 more points. Penrith Panthers 16-14

Halftime: 16-14 to the Panthers

41 min: Line dropout for the Panthers from the kick off

43 min: Logan with a fractured cheek bone, and Zillman with a serious knee injury, possibly the same as in 2007, means the Raiders are down to a 2 man bench for the rest of the match.

48 min: A mistake by the Panthers 20 metres out from the Raiders line, sets up the Green Machine attack.

48 min: NO TRY RAIDERS - Held up on the 5th tackle, ref Robinson backs himself and doesn't use the video ref.

51 min: A bit of feeling starting to creep into the game. Pushing and shoving but not much else.

55 min: TRY Canberra Raiders Nice work by the Raiders attack to create the overlap and get Chalk across out on the fringe. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful. Canberra Raiders 20-16

59 min: Looked to be nothing happening in the Raiders attack but are rewarded with a line dropout

62 min: Carney looked to have a 40/20 on his hands but Rooney managed to tap the ball in and recover.

64 min: Mistakes aplenty by both sides making the play quite scrappy.

66 min: NO TRY RAIDERS - Goal line dropout as the ball is all over the place over the Raiders line. Video ref used to determine the outcome.

67 min: Raiders rewarded with another goal line dropout. The Panthers defending constantly at the moment.

71 min: The Panthers finally on attack in this half but look sluggish. Well done to the Raiders defence.

76 min: The Raiders seem to have their 2nd wind despite being 2 down on the bench. Penrith look the side tiring the most with 4 minutes to go.

80 min: Desperation by the Panthers, but not enough to break the fired up defensive line set by the Raiders.

FULLTIME: Raiders win a hard fought game away from home, 20-16.