Raiders beat Knights in dour
struggle

Fulltime score: Round 8 Knights 10 v Raiders 14

Match summary: The Canberra Raiders have scored a gutsy 14-10 victory over the Newcastle Knights at Energy Australia Stadium after coming into the match with most of their big name players out injured.

The Raiders opened the scoring in the first half with a try to David Howell after George Carmont fumbled the ball close to the line. The Knights hit back with the next 2 tries but the Raiders scored a try in the 38th minute to go in at the break leading 12-10.

The second half turned into a dour struggle with both teams failing to get the ball over the tryline. The Raiders scored the only points in the second half via a penalty goal from Matt Gafa after Craig Smith put a head slam on one of the Raiders players. Smith will be waiting nervously to see if he has to face the judiciary.

The Knights had the best of possession but poor last tackle options saw them never look like scoring and will be looking forward to the return of Andrew Johns.

The Raiders run out 14-10 winners after defending stoutly through the second half.

It looks like being a long season for the Knights who will struggle to climb off the bottom of the ladder.

Scorers: KNIGHTS 10 Tries: G Carmont, S Witt Goals: B Tighe 1/2 RAIDERS 14 Tries: D Howell, M Gafa Goals: M Gafa 3/3

Energy Australia Stadium Referee: Tony Archer

Live commentary: Beautiful weather today at Energy Australia Stadium. The Newcastle Knights will be looking to get their first win of the season as they take on an injury riddled Raiders team.

1st min: Play is underway. Knights kicking off

7th Min: NEWS - Solid start by the Raiders but the Knights have made 2 handling errors.

13th Min: off to the video ref possible try to the Knights No TRY ball grounded by the Raiders first, drop out Raiders.

15th Min: TRY - Raiders. Try to David Howell after George Carmont fumbles the ball and the Raiders spread the ball to score. Conversion successful from Gafa Raiders 6-0

19th Min: TRY - Knights George Carmont scores in the corner after a great break from Buderus. Conversion unsuccessful from Tighe Raiders 6-4

20th Min: NEWS - George Carmont leaves the field injured after scoring the try

23rd Min: NEWS - Terry Campese blows a try for the Raiders after kicking the ball dead when looking like he would score the try himself

26th Min: TRY - Knights Steve Witt scores under the post after a great ball from Kurt Gidley. Conversion successful from Tighe Knights 10-6

35th Min: NEWS - lots of errors starting to creep into the game from both sides

38th Min: TRY - Raiders David Howell makes a break through the centre of the field and draws the fullback to put Matt Gafa into space and he runs away for the try under the posts Conversion successful from Gafa Raiders 12-10

HALFTIME. A pretty ordinary game to this stage as both teams are making lots of errors. The Knights looked like they were starting to get on top but a late try to the Raiders puts them in front at the break. George Carmont still off injured with a bruised hip.

41st Min. Second half underway....

48th Min: NEWS - A good start by both teams to start the second half with the Knights attacking well and the Raiders defending well.

50th Min: NEWS - Thompson turns the ball over on the first tackle to give the Knights a great chance in good field position.

53rd Min: NEWS - second half possession: Knight 70% - Raiders 30%

65th Min: NEWS - Raiders get their first chance in good field position but give away a penalty after not getting up to play the ball.

73rd Min: PENALTY GOAL - Raiders Matt Gafa kicks a penalty goal after Craig Smith is penalised for a head slam. Raiders 14-10

74th Min: NEWS - Raiders make a mistake from the kickoff to give the Knights a chance to level up the scores.

Fulltime...

The Raiders come up with a gutsy win after defending stoutly in the second half to come away with the win and hand the Knights their 7th straight defeat.

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - T Campese (Raiders) 2 - M Gafa (Raiders) 1 - A Woolnough (Knights) -----------------------------------------