Raiders defeat Sharks in opening NRL trial

Canberra Raiders have defeated the Cronulla Sharks 32-12 in the opening NRL trial at Queanbeyan 's Seiffert Oval last night.

The match was played in three 25-minute blocks and featured two referees, Jarrad Maxwell and Gavin Badger combining well with the new play-the-ball and 10m rule.

The Sharks got away first in the opening stanza with prop John Mannah crashing over after 10 minutes to give the visitors a 4-0 lead.

Comeback hooker Tony Caine crossed in the 24th minute to give the Sharks an 8-0 lead.

But the Raiders struck back after the first break, with rookie forward Nick Skinner scoring in the 32nd minute.

Raiders halfback Josh McCrone then crossed two minutes later to make it 8-all.

Cronulla's Phil Latu scored just before the next break. But the Raiders raced away in the final third with tries to McCrone, Brad Cross, James Stuart, Jarrad Croker, Daniel Vidot and Andrew Edwards.

It was the first match for new Canberra head coach David Furner.

The Raiders win came at a cost with Queanbeyan front rower Cy Lasscock dislocating a knee cap in the opening section. He was scheduled to have scans today.

CANBERRA RAIDERS 32 (J McCrone 2, Nick Skinner, Brad Cross, James Stuart, Jarrad Croker, Daniel Vidot, Andrew Edwards) def CRONULLA SHARKS 12 (John Mannah, Tony Caine, Phil Latu).

MORE NRL TRIALS INFORMATION: CLICK HERE