Rabbitohs beat up on
Raiders

Round 21
South Sydney Rabbitohs 21 v Canberra Raiders 8
at Telstra Stadium
Referee: Jason Robinson

Match Summary:
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have staged a remarkable upset at their home ground of Telstra Stadium, defeating the Canberra Raiders by 21-8.

In a game they were never supposed to win, Souths showed commitment and skill to negotiate their second win of the season over the Raiders who last week knocked off St George Illawarra in spectacular fashion.

If this was horse racing you?d ask for a Steward?s inquiry. The Rabbitohs came out of the blocks well, taking the ball up the middle of the park strongly and using their options either side of the ruck to create problems for Canberra from word go.

The Raiders struggled to find their feet which ultimately lead to dropped ball, missed tackles and an unusually high error rate. They were nothing like the team who humiliated the Dragons last week down in the Nation?s Capital.

Souths raced to a 20-nil lead in the first half, setting up the victory through their quick backs. Flamboyant fullback David Peachey opened the scoring in the sixth minute after making a nice break and sailing towards the tryline.

Soon after it was huge winger Paul Mellor?s turn, barging his way to the chalk in strong fashion. Then speedy winger Nathan Merritt put two tries back-to-back towards the end of the half and with Williams adding two goals things were looking very positive for the Bunnies.

Queensland Origin hero Adam Mogg added a try just before the break and again in the 64th minute of the game, but neither were converted by captain Clinton Schifcofske, leaving the Raiders still well behind the 8-ball.

Replacement Ben Rogers chipped a field goal through the sticks with six minutes before time to seal the victory, taking the game beyond doubt and perhaps adds credibility to the sacking of centre Adam MacDougall from the club.

Souths take on Penrith next week at Telstra Stadium and are sure to have their tails in the air. Meanwhile, the Raiders will need to regroup before hosting the Broncos on Sunday week.


Scorers:
South Sydney Rabbitohs: 21
Tries: Nathan Merritt(2), Paul Mellor, David Peachey
Goals: Joe Williams 2/4
Field Goals: Ben Rogers
Canberra Raiders: 8
Tries: Adam Mogg(2)

By the Clock:
It's a cool night out here at Telstra Stadium as we await the Raiders and Rabbitohs clash. The game is vitally important to Canberra's chances of securing a top 8 spot and they are expected to win. Souths may prove to be a capable spoiler however.

Both teams are as per the program.

1 min: NEWS And we're underway in the first half with the Bunnies kicking off.

6 min: TRY South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Rabbitohs open the scoring for the night, with enigmatic fullback David Peachey loping across the tryline after making a good break. Returning halfback Joe Williams lifts the touch judges flags and Souths are off to a good start.
Rabbitohs 6-0

12 min: NEWS Both teams fighting it out in the middle of the park here, with Souths holding their own. They've had a bit more possession than the Raiders and are making fewer mistakes.

14 min: TRY South Sydney Rabbitohs
And Souths are in again, this time through big winger Paul Mellor, who's made a habit out of scoring tries lately. Early signs are very positive for the Bunnies here. They look more settled and capable than previous weeks. Williams misses the goal.
Rabbitohs 10-0

20 min: NEWS Souths are dominating out here. They're enjoying the lion's share of possession and are making better use of the ball, unlike Canberra are showing no respect to the ball whatsoever.

22 min: TRY South Sydney Rabbitohs
Boy oh boy, the Bunnies are killing them right now! Try-scoring freak Nathan Merritt runs in a four-pointer as Souths up the tempo against the Raiders. Could be a big upset on the cards here. Williams misses the goal.
Rabbitohs 14-0

28 min: NEWS Souths playing much better footy here at the moment, making better yeards, kicking well and they're hardly making any errors.

33 min: TRY South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Rabbitohs are all over them at the moment, with Merritt crossing for his second try of the night. They're looking much improved and by contrast the Raiders are well below the effort they submitted last week against the Dragons. I doubt Canberra can come back from this position. Williams converts and it's looking very good for Souths.
Rabbitohs 20-0

35 min: NEWS Bunnies still going strong here. They're taking the Raiders up the middle of the park and playing well. You could also say they're getting the rub of the green with the ref.

38 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
The Raiders are finally on the board through Origin hero Adam Mogg. They really needed something before halftime if they were going to entertain thoughts of a comeback. Schifcofske fails to convert from out wide and the gap is 16 points heading into the break.
Rabbitohs 20-4

40 min: NEWS Halftime - This has been a sensational first half effort by the Bunnies. They've played great footy, tried hard and come up with excellent results. They're dominating the bigger Canberra forwards and things are looking very promising as they chase their second victory of the season.

The Raiders are a different story, what's happened since last week? They're making all sorts of errors and failing to reproduce the sort of form that blew the Dragons off the field last round. I think they might be guilty of taking Souths a little too lightly.

41 min: NEWS Canberra restart proceedings out here at Homebush.

48 min: NEWS Both sides easing their way into the second part of this contest here. Canberra starting to make a few more yards up the middle of the ruck.

53 min: NEWS The game's grinding away out here. Souths need to be careful not to protect a lead and continue the attacking footy which they displayed in the first half.

60 min: NEWS Souths are starting to dominate in the forwards again. Plenty of big gains up the middle of the park and they are starting to drop off a few tackles. Completions have been sensational though.

64 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
The Raiders narrow the gap by a little more with Mogg notching up his second for the night. The Schif fails from out wide again, but with only 12 points separating the two teams, stranger things have happened.
Rabbitohs 20-8

70 min: NEWS Ten to go and the Bunnies are closing in on their second victory for the year.

74 min: FIELD GOAL South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Bunnies seal the game with a field goal to Ben Rogers. With a 13-point margin they look home and hosed.
Rabbitohs 21-8

80 min: NEWS The Rabbitohs have clinched a terrific victory here at Telstra Stadium, downing the Raiders by 21-8 and claiming their second victory for the year.
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - David Peachey
2 - Nathan Merritt
1 - Joe Williams
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