Raiders rampage rattles Broncos

Round 22
Canberra Raiders 30 v Brisbane Broncos 18
at Canberra Stadium
Referee: Gavin Badger

Match Summary:
The Canberra Raiders have cruised to a 30-18 victory over the Broncos at Canberra Stadium this afternoon, the home side leading 14-6 at half time before putting the match beyond doubt.

The Raiders opened the scoring through David Howell after 11 minutes. But the Broncos struck back 10 minutes later with Brad Thorn crashing over. Corey Parker's successful conversion put the visitors up by 6-4 and for the time being, the Broncos looked to be gaining some momentum.

But a 75 metre intercept try to Raiders centre Adam Mogg in the 29th minute turned the match inside out, the Raiders scoring five tries in succession before the Broncos were able to post a couple of late consolation tries.

The result see the Raiders leapfrog their way into the top eight while the Broncos post-Origin form slump continues.

Scorers:
Canberra Raiders: 30
Tries: Todd Carney, Phillip Graham, David Howell(2), Adam Mogg, Adrian Purtell
Goals: Clinton Schifcofske 3/6
Brisbane Broncos: 18
Tries: Sam Thaiday, Brad Thorn, Darius Boyd
Goals: Corey Parker 3/3

By the Clock:
Stunning day down here in the Nation's Capital as the Raiders play host to the Broncos in a vital clash. Canberra will try to reverse their poor form which saw them lose to Souths last week, while Brisbane are trying to address a three-game losing streak.

Changes:

Brisbane have moved Brent Tate to the wing with Greg Eastwood in the centres. Neville Costigan starts in place of David Stagg with McGuire and Kenny added to the bench.

For the Raiders, Dane Tilse played premier league with Chris Kahler coming into the starting line-up. Howell is on the wing with Chalk moving to the bench. Carney and Hodgson will start in place of Withers and Learoyd-Lars with the rest remaining as the program states.


1 min: NEWS The Broncos kick-off.

4 min: NEWS Bombed chance here as Woolford instigates a beautiful break for Graham who tries to find Kahler only grass the ball. A great chance gone begging there. Good battle in the forwards early in the match.

7 min: NEWS The Raiders are finding some room with a kick from Smith another near thing in the Broncos quarter.

11 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
Howell scores in the corner for the Raiders as Graham moves from the eastern flank to the western flank to set it up. Schifcofske can't convert from the sideline with a strong breeze pushing it wide.
Raiders 4-0

21 min: TRY Brisbane Broncos
Brad Thorn crashes over the top of Jason Croker and scores under the posts. Follows penalty to Broncos and bust from Darren Lockyer. Conversion from Corey Parker puts the Broncos in front.
Broncos 6-4

29 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
Adam Mogg intercepts a Darius Boyd pass and runs 75m to score 8m in from touch. Very much against the run of play as the Broncos were gaining the ascendancy. Schifcofske's conversion attempt unsuccessful into the breeze.
Raiders 8-6

34 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
Adrian Purtell intercepts a pass from Brent Tate, and then recovers his footing to run the 10 metres and score 5m in from touch. Tate was attempting a pass to an unmarked Justin Hodges on the flank. Conversion from Schifcofske is a ripper.
Raiders 14-6

HALF TIME: Raiders 14-6
Possession and completions fairly even.
Broncos hanging on in the final seconds of the half as the Raiders were seemingly offloading at will and making inroads. A complete turnaround to midway through the first half when Broncos looked to be making the breaks around the fringes of the ruck. But the intercept try to Mogg in the 29th minute turned the match on its head.
The Broncos missing far too many tackles. They will have breeze in the their faces in the second half and will be working hard to get back into the contest. The Raiders will have the wind at theor backs are looking the goods, but there's only eight points in it and this match still has a long way to go.

NEWS Second half delayed as one of the half time entertainers has been hurt trying to catch a ball in a milk crate, and a medicab has been called.

Second half underway...

45 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
Todd Carney scores behnd the uprights after Phil Graham floats across the backline, passes to Schifcofske who puts Carney into a yawning gap from close range. Follows a penalty against Broncos prop Shane Webcke who accidently kicked the ball in the play-the-ball area. Schifcofske converts.
Raiders 20-6

54 min: INJURY NEWS Michael Hodgson (Raiders) comes from the field after injuring his wrist or arm in a tackle on Tate.

56 min: NEWS Graham (Raiders) intercepts a loose ball and run 30m before being pulled down. The Broncos were pressing the line after getting repeat sets following a Raiders error. But the Broncos lacking purpose in their attack.

INJURY UPDATE Michael Hodgson (Raiders) has dislocated his shoulder and will take no further part.

60 min: NO TRY Troy Thompson (Raiders) crashes through but just falls short, losing the ball forward.

64 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
Graham scores in the corner and that should be the winner. Schifcofske conversion rubs salt into the wounds.
Raiders 26-6

70 min: NEWS 40/20 to Canberra as Jason Smith boots downfield and then gets a favourable bounce.

71 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
Game, set and match as David Howell gets his second try, scoring in the corner. Follows flick pass from Mogg. Schifcofske misses conversion attempt.
Raiders 30-6

76 min: TRY Brisbane Broncos
Sam Thaiday scores a consolation try as Webcke attracts plenty of defenders from close range and then offloads. Parker converts from right in front.
Raiders 30-12

79 min: TRY Brisbane Broncos
Boyd scores as the Raiders defence gets sloppy. Parker converts from out wide.
Raiders 30-18

FULL TIME: Raiders 30-18
Raiders putting the cue in the rack late in the match but still managing a comprehensive victory over the Broncos.
In the backline Graham, Mogg and Schifcofske were enterprising for the Raiders while lock forward Alan Tongue put in a mountain of work in defence. Webcke was probably the best in a losing side.
Raiders leapfrog the Sharks on the NRL ladder and are now in the top eight. The Broncos are clinging to a top four spot as their slump continues.
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Alan Tongue (Raiders)
2 - Adam Mogg (Raiders)
1 - Phillip Graham (Raiders)
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