Raiders out-muscle Knights in the
cold

On a cold and wet winter's afternoon in the national capital, the Canberra Raiders have defeated the Newcastle Knights 24-16.

At half time, Canberra held a 12-4 lead.

The result sees the Raiders secure themselves a home semi final and keeps the finals hopes of the Dragons and Eels alive.

RAIDERS 24 Tries: J Monaghan, Wiki, Martin, Drew Goals: Schifcofske 4/4 defeated KNIGHTS 16 Tries: Quinn, Perry, MacDougall Goals: Abraham 2/3

Sunday 24 August 2003 2:30 PM Canberra Stadium Referee: Sean Hampstead Video Referee: Phil Cooley

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - L Davico (Raiders) 2 - M Parsons (Knights) 1 - M Monaghan (Raiders)

By the clock: 0 min: Kick Off

2 min: TRY - Raiders: Joel Monaghan scores after running on to an overhead pass from Clinton Schifcofske. Schifcofske is successful with the conversion. Raiders 6-0

6 min: News - Kurt Gidley misses the touchline with a penalty kick and the Raiders are back on attack inside the Knights half.

10 min: TRY - Raiders: Ruben Wiki gets through some soft Knights defence to score Canberra's second try of the afternoon. Schifcofske is successful with the conversion. Raiders 12-0

18 min: TRY - Knights: Anthony Quinn scores in the corner after the Knights decided to take a tap instead of a kick for goal after they receive a penalty 10 metres out form the Raiders line. Daniel Abraham is unsuccessful with the conversion. Raiders 12-4

25 min: NEWS - The Raiders Jason Bulgarelli bombs a certain Raiders try as he drops a deflection off a Mark McLinden kick with an open tryline in front of him.

Halftime: On a typically cold and wet winter's day in the national capital. The Knights had a first 15 minutes they would rather forget filled with dropped balls and the Raiders dominating field position and scoring the opening 2 tries. After that it became a very dour and grinding game with only 1 more try scored by Newcastle's Anthony Quinn. This game is still anyone's for the taking but given the poor conditions a 12 point head start could be too much for the Knights.

45 min: NEWS - The Knights Mark Hughes is tackled into touch 10 metres out form his own line after fielding a Raiders kick.

50 min: TRY - Raiders: Terry Martin scores after receiving a neat pass off Michael Monaghan. Schifcofske is successful with the conversion. Raiders 18-4

53 min: TRY - Knights: Josh Perry barges over form close out as the Knights regain possession after the Raiders Mark Mclinden falls into touch receiving the kick off. Daniel Abraham is successful with the conversion. Raiders 18-10.

62 min: TRY - Raiders: Brad Drew scores for the Raiders after receiving a neat inside pass fro Michael Monaghan. Schifcofske is successful with the conversion. Raiders 24-10

66 min: NEWS - The Raiders Mark McLinden is in the sheds showing signs of hypothermia which could only be expected given the Arctic like conditions.

68 min: TRY - Knights: After some consultation with the video referee Adam MacDougall who is playing in the centres today scores after stealing the ball from Clinton Schifcofske in a one on one tackle 20 metres out form the Raiders line. Abraham is successful with the conversion. Raiders 24-16

74 min: NEWS - Raiders captain Jason Croker argues a knock on call made against the Raiders on the Raiders side of halfway.

80 min: FULL TIME: The Raiders not only secure themselves a home semi final with a gutsy 24-16 victory over the Knights but keep the finals hopes of the Dragons and Eels alive. For the Knights it's back to the drawing board as they try to win a premiership without the games best player Andrew Johns.