Raiders hang on against
plucky Rabbitohs

Round 13
Canberra Raiders 24 v South Sydney Rabbitohs 22
at Canberra Stadium
Referees: Jarred Maxwell

Match Summary:
The Canberra Raiders have defeated the South Sydney Rabbitohs 24-22 at Canberra Stadium this evening.

Souths, yet to win a game were finishing all over the Raiders until a late Marshall Chalk try clinched the much-needed two points for the Raiders, who now find themselves on the cusp of the top eight.

It's also the first time this year the Raiders have won back to back matches albeit by a combined margin of three points.

Canberra went to the break leading 18-6 and were doing it comfortably but as we have seen on numerous occasions this year, the Raiders folded like a proverbial house of cards in the second half and that's taking nothing away from the Bunnies, who scored just as many tries as the Raiders but came up one conversion short in the end.

The Bunnies face the Broncos minus their Origin stars next week and the pressure will be on the Broncos to not become the Bunnies fist scalp in 2006.

The Raiders play the Bulldogs minus their Origin stars next week but will need a vastly improved performance if they are to get close to the Dogs.

All in all, a very close match but one the Raiders really should have put away far earlier than the 75th minute.

Scorers:
Canberra Raiders: 24
Tries: Todd Carney, Marshall Chalk, David Howell, Alan Tongue
Goals: Clinton Schifcofske 4/4
South Sydney Rabbitohs: 22
Tries: Peter Cusack, Shannan McPherson, Joe Williams, Paul Mellor
Goals: Joe Williams 3/5

By the Clock:

0 min: NEWS Tonight marks the celebration of the Canberra Raiders 25th anniversary in the NSWRL, ARL and NRL with many past greats in attendance to celebrate the clubs significant milestone. For the Bunnies, David Peachey will make his debut at fullback for the club and in freezing conditions, he will have his work cut out for him as the Bunnies strive for their first win of the season.

5 min: TRY South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Bunnies are fast out of the blocks tonight with Paul Mellor scoring the first try after the Raiders were penalised twice and gave good field position to Souths.
Rabbitohs 4-0

12 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
The Raiders hit back through a try to Todd Carney after soaking up all the early pressure from Souths.
Raiders 6-4

15 min: PENALTY GOAL South Sydney Rabbitohs
Joe Williams gets Souths back to level scores with a penalty goal.
6 all.

20 min: NEWS Midway through the first half and the scores are still locked at six all. No team looks better than the other at the moment.

24 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
The Raiders score again. This time it's David Howell who crosses to put the Raiders out to a six point lead.
Raiders 12-6

30 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
The Raiders are in again through Alan Tongue as they start to go up a notch in the latter stages of the first half. Still a long way to go in this match though.
Raiders 18-6

35 min: NEWS Five minutes out from half time and no change to the scores. The Raiders still ead 18-6.

40 min: NEWS The Raiders hold a twelve point lead at half time against Souths but the Raiders have been notorious for their second half fades in 2006 ad need to come out on the front foot and really dominate Souths if they are to win this match. Souths have had very little ball and will be happy with the fact they are only 12 points in arrears. It is very cold inb Canberra and that is one thing in the Raiders favour.

41 min: NEWS We are underway in the second half.

47 min: TRY South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Bunnies score the first try of the second half and are now within sight of the Raiders. As I said earlier, still a long way to go in this match.
Raiders 18-10

53 min: NEWS Souths have had all the ball in the opening stages of the second half and are starting to look threatening against the Raiders defence.




64 min: TRY South Sydney Rabbitohs
Souths back within two points and the Raiders are fading badly in the latter stages of the match. Will they be the first side to lose to Souths in 2006 and earn what would be the most unenviable record in Rubgy League.
Raiders 18-16

70 min: NEWS As we enter the final ten minutes the Raiders hold a slender two point lead. Cany they hold on?

75 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
The Raiders have scored with just over five minutes remaining and should wrap it up from here if they play smart footy. Marshall Chalk was the scorer but the Raiders have been pushed all the way by a very gallant South Sydney side.
Raiders 24-16

80 min: TRY South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Bunnies captain gets a late try to give a better reflection of how the match played out and Souths were unlucky not to win in the end with a solitary conversion proving the difference.
Raiders 24-22