Raiders beat Tigers in thriller at
North Harbour Stadium

Hibiscus Coast Raiders regained the Ted Dalton Memorial Cup today at North Harbour Stadium when they defeated the North Harbour Tigers in round 4 of the NZRL Bartercard Cup.

The Raiders had a dream start to the game, leading 20/0, eleven minutes into the game. Tries to Tevita Jurgensen, Joel Freeman, Shaun Ata and Daniel Floyd, two converted by Floyd, left the Tigers reeling. It was going to be a long haul for the Tigers to pull this margin back.

The reduction in the margin occurred with sixteen minutes to go in the half, when gutsy Winger, Harry Kapi, scored in a scrambling effort over the goal line. Five minutes later, off the bench, Tarl Cook went in for the Harbour team. Raiders Full Back, Daniel Floyd, scored for the Raiders to make it 26/10. Kapi grabbed one back for the Tigers just before the break, after some great work with Full Back, Khamal Ganley and half time sounded at 26/16 to the Raiders.

The score line was respectable and this game, despite the huge start by the Raiders, could go either way. North Harbour Captain and Half, Jared Trott, had converted two tries, but more importantly, had directed his team back into the game.

Four minutes into the half and Tigers Stand Off, Jeremy Golf, found a huge gap and strolled through to score. Trott obliged with the boot and it?s a six point game. A long passage of play where both teams appeared determined to lose the game occurred before Second Rower, Karl Guttenbeil scored an easy one - 26/24.

Ten minutes left in the game and rangy Centre, Shaun Ata, shook off the Tigers defence and put the Raiders in front by six points. Five to go and Daniel Floyd misses a sitter of a field goal. Next set and Tigers elusive Full Back, Khamal Ganley, scores, following the best Tigers attack of the day, with the ball going through many sets of hands.

Thirty points apiece and a minute and a bit to go. The Tigers were attacking, looking good, heading up towards half way with a good few tackles left. The Tigers lose the ball in a tackle, the Raiders swoop and Second Rower, Willy Henare, dives over for the winner. 34/30 and the Ted Dalton trophy is on it?s way north.