Raiders down Dragons for upset of the season

THE Canberra Raiders have pulled off one of the upsets of the season after snatching victory in the last seconds of the match to defeat the Dragons 24-19 in Canberra in front of a 10,425 crowd.

Josh Dugan became the hero for the Raiders when he scored the match winning try in the final minute to get his side the win.

The Raiders came back from 12-point deficit at half-time after the Dragons put on a clinical performance in the first 40.

The Dragons drew first blood in the tenth minute when Brett Morris strolled over to score the first try of the match.

The Raiders hitback only eight minutes later when Josh McCrone fooled the Dragons' defense to level the scores. Jarrod Crocker kicked the conversion to give his side a two-point lead.

However, it was all the Dragons in the final 20 minutes of the half, Matt Cooper crossed the tryline first, going over in the 23rd minute after a break by Jamie Soward.

The Dragons were in again ten minutes later when Ben Creagh scored. Soward kicked his first and only successful conversion of the evening to extend the lead to eight.

The defending premiers were not done for the half with Mark Gasnier scoring a minute out from half time. Soward's conversion attempt was unsuccessful again to keep the Dragons lead to 12 at half time.

The home side returned from the break with full intensity, dominating field position and muscling up in defense to restrict the Dragons' progress.

However, the Dragons' defense was up to the challenge and were able to keep the Raiders out until the 53rd minute when Josh Dugan scored a brillian solo try.

Jarrod Crocker added the extras to put the Raiders within a converted try of the lead.

The Raiders were over again in the 64th minute when Blake Ferguson of a scrum following an error from Ben Creagh in his own half. Crocker added the extras to tie up the scores.

The Raiders' efforts nearly came undone in the next set following the try when Shaun Fensom lost the ball from the kick off, however Ben Creagh lost the ball for the Dragons to take the home side off the hook.

Both sides attempted to take the lead in the final minutes but it was Jamie Soward who finally broke the deadlock in the 77th minute when he kicked a field goal.

However it was all to be in vein when Mark Gasnier lost the ball from the Raiders' short kickoff with only a minute left in the match.

Josh Dugan crossed for his second in the next set and Raiders were able to maintain their undefeated record against the Dragons at Canberra Stadium.

Match Details
Canberra Raiders 24 defeated St George Illawarra Dragons 19
National Rugby League - Round 20 - Monday July 25, 2011 7:00pm
Venue: Canberra Stadium
Referee: Brett Suttor and Phil Haines
Video Referee: Steve Clark
Touch Judges: Steve Carrall and Chris Butler
Crowd: 10,425
Halftime: Canberra Raiders 6 St George Illawarra Dragons 18

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Josh McCrone (1 Try)
2 Points - Josh Dugan (2 Tries)
1 Point - Jamie Soward (1 Conversion, 1 Field Goal)

CANBERRA RAIDERS (24)
Tries: Josh Dugan (2), Blake Ferguson, Josh McCrone
Field Goals: Sam Williams (0/1)
Conversions: Jarrod Croker (3/3)

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (19)
Tries: Matt Cooper, Ben Creagh, Mark Gasnier, Brett Morris
Field Goals: Jamie Soward (1/1)
Conversions: Jamie Soward (1/4)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Good Evening folks and welcome to Canberra for the final match of round 20 where the Canberra Raiders take on the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Both teams have announced a couple of late changes to their sides. For the home side Joe Picker and Josh Miller are out and will be replaced by Josh Papalii and Jarrod Crocker.
For the Dragons Dan Hunt and Jon Green are out and will be replaced by David Gower and Jack De Belin.
The Dragons have just come onto the field, we should have kick off soon.
1 min: We have kick off.
2 min: Dan Hunt knocks on trying to diffuse a Canberra kick. The Raiders will go on the attack.
3 min: Penalty against the Dragons and the Raiders will get another 6.
4 min: Josh McCrone puts in a poor kick on the last and the Dragons are off the hook.
7 min: After a slow start, the Dragons look on top here. They're making good meters and are all over the Raiders in defense.
8 min: Dragons get their first penalty of the evening. They'll start their set in the Raiders' half.
9 min: Dragons will get six day after Jamie Soward put in a chip kick on the last and Blake Ferguson was dragged back into the in goal after taking it a few meters out from his line.
10 min: TRY
Brett Morris strolls over for a try after some clever second man play from the Dragons. Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward is nonsuccessive.
St George Illawarra Dragons 4-0
12 min: Dragons are penalised for a high shot. It was the first tackle for the Raiders and they were deep inside their own territory, but a massive kick for touch enables them to start their set 30 out from the Dragons' line.
13 min: Another poor kick by Josh McCrone takes the pressure of the Dragons.
14 min: Now the Raiders concede a penalty to give the Dragons a piggyback up the field.
15 min: Penalty to the Raiders only nine meters from the Dragons' line after the Raiders make great meters from their half.
18 min: TRY
Josh McCrone makes up for his poor last tackle options in previous sets scores a soft try for the Raiders. Crocker has no problems kicking the conversion.
Canberra Raiders 6-4
23 min: Dragons get a scrum on halfway after Josh McCrone is tackled into touch after gathering a charged down ball.
19 min: Dragons get a scrum on halfway after Josh McCrone is tackled into touch after gathering a charged down ball.
24 min: TRY
Soward throws a cutout pass to Cooper, who scores. Soward misses the conversion again.
St George Illawarra Dragons 10-6
26 min: Dragons run it on the last from within their own half but Cooper is tackled and the Raiders will get some good field position here.
27 min: Raiders are penalised for obstruction.
30 min: Line drop out for the Dragons after Jamie Soward puts a beautifully weighted bomb up and Ferguson is forced to run it dead after catching it.
31 min: TRY
Nathan Fien throws a clever pass to Ben Creagh who scores. Soward's conversion attempt is successful.
St George Illawarra Dragons 14-6
34 min: Raiders are penalised for a hand on the football in a tackle, the Dragons will get another set in the Raiders half. Raiders really need to hold them out here.
35 min: Blake Ferguson unnecessarily bats a kick dead in goal. The Dragons will get a line dropout.
37 min: Another line dropout to the Dragons after a perfectly weighted grubber by Jamie Soward on tackle 4 and Josh Dugan is trapped in goal.
39 min: TRY
Soward goes to the air on the third and Mark Gasnier takes it and scores. Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward is unsuccessful.
St George Illawarra Dragons 18-6
40 min: We have half time in Canberra.
41 min: Sam Williams attempts a 40/20 but it goes out on the full. The Dragons will get a chance to go on the attack early.
41 min: Sam Williams attempts a 40/20 but it goes out on the full. The Dragons will get a chance to go on the attack early.
42 min: Soward bombs it on the last and the Dragons are ruled to have knocked the ball on. Not sure about that one, on the replay it looks like it was Daniel Vidot who knocked it on for the Raiders.
43 min: Raiders are penalised and the Dragons will get another piggyback into the Raiders half.
44 min: Dragons have been getting away with some questionable passes all night.
45 min: Soward kicks early again, but the Raiders are able to diffuse the kick.
47 min: Galea knocks it on 35 out from his own line and the Dragons will get another opportunity.
48 min: Soward goes to the air on the last, it's tapped back by Gasnier, but the Raiders are able to get the ball.
51 min: Raiders will get a set in the Dragons' half after Cuthbertson is penalised for laying all over a tackled player.
53 min: TRY
Josh Dugan treats Jamie Soward like a speed hump and then busts through the tackles of Merrin and Cuthbertson. Conversion attempt by Crocker is successful.
St George Illawarra Dragons 18-12
60 min: Canberra have really lifted since their last try, they've trapped Dragons in their own 20 on tackle 5.
60 min: Canberra have really lifted since their last try, they've trapped Dragons in their own 20 on tackle 5.
60 min: Canberra have really lifted since their last try, they've trapped Dragons in their own 20 on tackle 6.
62 min: Josh Dugan puts in a terrible kick but Ben Creagh knocks it on and the Raiders will have a shot at the Dragons' line.
64 min: TRY
McCrone throws a cutout pass to Blake Ferguson who scores in the corner. Conversion attempt by Jarrod Crocker is successful.
18 all
66 min: Fensom knocks on 30 meters our, Dragons will get a chance to hit back.
67 min: Creagh loses the ball and the Raiders are off the hook.
72 min: FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT
Sam Williams attempts a field goal 30 out but misses.
18 all
74 min: The Dragons will get a penalty after Trevor Thurling is pinned for holding down a tackled player.
74 min: The Dragons will get a penalty after Trevor Thurling is pinned for holding down a tackled player.
77 min: The Raiders definitely have the upper hand at the moment. They are playing with a lot more intensity than their opponents.
79 min: Gasnier drops the ball on the second tackle, this might be the mistake the Raiders needed.
78 min: FIELD GOAL
Soward slots a field goal over for the Dragons.
St George Illawarra Dragons 19-18
80 min: TRY
Josh McCrone puts in a perfect kick and Josh Dugan scores his second of the night. Conversion attempt by Jarrod Crocker is successful. Hats off to the Raiders for a very enthusiastic second half.
Canberra Raiders 24-19