Raiders thunder strikes Dragons down

The Canberra Raiders have overcome thunder and lightning to defeat the St George Illawarra Dragons 18-14 at Canberra Stadium this afternoon.

Both teams were still able to put on a fine display of wet weather football as the rain pelted down - both coaches opting for kicks early on the tackle count.

At half time the scores were locked up at 10-all following a 90 metre run from Joel Monaghan wh picked a loose ball just before half time.

The turning point was a try to Simon Woolford in the 57th minute, creating an eight point buffer.

A late try to Dragons rookie David Howell gave Saints some hope but the more experienced Raiders' outfit won out in the end.

The win, however may be dampened for the Raiders with Michael Hodgson being place on report following a high shot on Dragons forward Ryan Tandy.

League Unlimited best players: 3 - S Woolford (Raiders). Led from the front in an inspirational display. 2 - L Bailey (Dragons). 55 tackles and 18 hit ups, a tremendous effort from the front rower. 1 - B Drew (Raiders). Never far from the action.

Raiders 18 - Dragons 14 Sat 29 March 2003 5:30 PM Canberra Stadium Ref: Sean Hampstead

Scorers: Raiders Tries: Mogg, J Monaghan, Woolford Goals: Schifcofske 3/5

Dragons Tries: Simmonds, Howell Goals: Riddell 3/3, Roberts 0/1

Drizzly and miserable conditions following a downpour in the nation's capital. The young Dragons take on the in-form Raider's outfit. Kickoff! By the clock:

3 min: NEWS - Dragons kick a 40/20 via Ben Hornby and on the attack. Slippery conditions. Plenty of handling errors early on.

5 min: PENALTY GOAL - Dragons. Riddell from right in front. Follows Simon Woolford (Raiders) not standing square in the marker area. Dragons 2-0 Raiders kick out on the full from the re-start.

8 min: PENALTY GOAL - Dragons. Riddell right in front. Raiders all offside when Riddell takes a quick tap from halfway and races downfield. Dragons 4-0

12 min: TRY - Raiders. Adam Mogg scores out wide following a repeat set at the line. Conversion Clinton Schifcofske unsuccessful. 4-all

29 min: NEWS - Reports from locker room say that Ian Hindmarsh (Raiders) has double vision and will take no further part.

30 min: NEWS - Ryan Tandy (Dragons) forced from the field following high shot from Michael Hodgson (Raiders) who is placed on report.

31 min: TRY - Dragons. Reece Simmonds pounces on a Brett Firman grubber to score 10m from posts and just inside the dead ball line. Follows dodgy penalty when ref Hampstead rules a late flop against the Raiders. Conversion Riddell successful. Dragons 10-4

36 min: PENALTY GOAL - Raiders. Clinton Schifcofske slots a two pointer. Dragons 10-6

39 min: TRY - Raiders. Joel Monaghan picks up loose ball and runs 90 metres to score in the corner. Conversion attempt from Schifcofske hits uprights and stays out. 10-all

HALF TIME. Wet and slippery conditions with thunder & lightning happening above as well as on the field. Raiders skipper Simon Woolford having a running argument with ref Simpkins. Tight match.... there for the taking.

SECOND HALF: Dragons running into a slight breeze in the second half. Rain pelting down.

51 min: PENALTY GOAL - Schifcofske successful from 30m out. Follows clever kick on the first from Brad Drew. Raiders hit the front 12-10.

57 min: TRY - Raiders. Woolford from dummy half crashes over 8m from the posts. Conversion Schifcofske and in the heavy conditions, the Raiders have an eight point buffer. Raiders 18-10

65 min: TRY - Dragons. David Howell falls on ball following grubber from Mathew Head. Conversion attempt from Amos Roberts unsuccessful. Raiders 18-14

FULL TIME: Well deserved victory to the Raiders with experience winning out in difficult conditions. The Raiders winning three consecutive games for the first time since 2000 and maintaining their spot at the top of the NRL ladder.