Raiders shock Eels in big upset

Fulltime score: Round 19 Canberra Raiders 26 v Parramatta Eels 18

Match summary:

The Canberra Raiders have overcome the Parramatta Eels by 26-18 in a see-sawing affair down in the Nation?s Capital.

At times the game was a real arm-wrestle and somewhat boring in it?s complexion, but the Raiders cannot be denied a valuable two points towards their ailing 2005 campaign after the controversy surrounding captain Simon Woolford?s 8-week suspension during the week.

It took 13 minutes for the teams to open the scoring, with speedster Phil Graham taking an intercept close to his line and racing 90 metres to post first points. From here the lead changed hands four times with each team punching and counter-punching throughout the contest. The Raiders certainly stifled the Eels style of play, but with the visitors leading 12-8 at half time, they appeared as though the would go on with it.

It wasn?t to be however, with Canberra setting the tone in the 48th minute thanks to winger David Howell to once again take the lead. They were never headed from there, becoming the first side to post back-to-back points in the game after veteran lock Jason Croker split the defense up the middle to score under the posts.

A consolation try to hooker Mark Riddell narrowed the gap in the 77th minute, but the game was all over at that stage.

The result enables Canberra to stay alive in 2005 with a top 8 berth still not out of the question. It remains to be seen whether they will actually climb into finals contention in the coming weeks and resemble anything but cannon fodder to the likes of Brisbane if they do.

There will be some serious doubts over Parramatta however, after a bad loss to the Roosters and a controversial victory over St George in consecutive weeks making it difficult to gauge their true form. One thing is for sure though, the minor premiership looks out of reach with the club allowing Brisbane to skip to a six-point lead on the competition ladder following the Bronco?s victory over the Storm.

In a tough post-script to the match, powerful Eels winger Matt Peterson suffered a leg injury and could be sidelined for some weeks further subtracting from what little Parramatta already had to take from the game itself.

Scorers: CANBERRA RAIDERS 26 Tries: Graham 2, Frawley, Howell, Croker Goals: Schifcofske 3/4 PARRAMATTA EELS 18 Tries: Morrison, B.Smith, Riddell Goals: Burt 3/3

Venue: Canberra Stadium Referee: Tony Archer Half time: Eels 12-8 Crowd: 13,230

Live commentary:

Cold conditions down here in the nation's capital. Both teams as per the program.

3 min: NEWS - The opening exchanges have been good down here, with both teams playing some good mistake-free footy.

13 min: TRY - Raiders. Phil Graham intercepts the ball and foots it 90m to score the opening try at home for the Raiders. Conversion unsuccessful by Schifcofske. Raiders 4 Eels 0.

16 min: TRY - Eels. Parra hit back through second rower Glenn Morrison with a strong try. Burt converts and the Eels take the lead. Eels 6 Raiders 4.

20 min: NEWS - Both teams playing solid footy in attack but Canberra are missing plenty of tackles.

24 min: TRY - Raiders. Craig Frawley barges over from an Eric Grothe mistake as the Raiders take the initiative. The Schif misses another but the home team reclaim the lead. Raiders 8 Eels 6.

29 min: TRY - Eels. Big Ben Smith finds some space to post the visitors second try and take the lead again. Luke Burt converts and the Eels are playing much better footy now. Eels 12 Raiders 8.

Haltime: The Eels go to the break leading 12-8 after a real arm-wrestle in the first half.

The Raiders have been asked to do loads of defense and have missed plenty of tackles as a result. They have been oportunistic in attack resulting in two tries that is keeping them in the game right now.

For the Eels, they seem to have been stifled by the Raiders at stages and have struggled to get into a rhythm, but passages of good play see them in the lead. They could potentially run away with it in the second half if they get their act together.

And we're underway in the second half!

45 min: NEWS - No change to the score here and there's been little change to the tempo of the game with both teams resuming at a similar pace in the second half. The Raiders will do well to keep up here.

48 min: TRY - Raiders. David Howell scores for the Green Machine as they spin the ball wide. The Schif finally finds his measure and converts to push the Raiders ahead. Raiders 14 Eels 12.

50 min: NEWS - The Raiders lead the contest here in an amazing juxtaposition - they are behind in possession and are missing more tackles than the Eels, although the visitors now have a few errors creeping into their game. The lead has changed hands four times.

55 min: NEWS - No change to the score here but things are certainly evening up for the Raiders in the possession stakes and the Eels are well and truly coughing up the pill unnecessarily.

65 min: TRY - Raiders. Croker storms up the middle and crosses under the posts to really shake up this game. The Raiders push further ahead and might have this one by the skin of their teeth. Schifcofske converts easily. Raiders 20 Eels 12.

74 min: TRY - Raiders. Graham grabs his second try as the Raiders run away with things here at Bruce Stadium. The Schif converts. Raiders 26 Eels 12.

77 min: TRY - Eels. The visitors hit back from the kick-off with Mark Riddell crossing the chalk. But it's too little too late as Burt converts. Raiders 26 Eels 18.

Fulltime: The Raiders have won an incredible game of footy against all odds. The Eels were strong favourites coming into the clash and were simply out-played by a less fancied Canberra outfit.

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - P Graham (Raiders) 2 - C Schifcofske (Raiders) 1 - J Croker (Raiders) -----------------------------------------