Raiders win in Golden
Point again

Round 23
Wests Tigers 18 v Canberra Raiders 19
at Campbelltown Stadium
Referee: Steven Clark

Match Summary:
The Canberra Raiders have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a thrilling 19-18 golden point victory over the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown this afternoon.

The Tigers were the better side but came up short when it mattered most with two missed field goal opportunities with the Raiders only taking one attempt but in the end, that's all that was needed.

The Tigers went into todays game without Benji Marshall, Robbie Farah and Brett Hodgson but still played a mighty game for 89 minutes only to come up short thanks to a long-range field goal from vastly improving Raiders pivot Todd Carney.

The win for the Raiders almost certainly eliminates the Tigers, Panthers, Cowboys and Sharks from the finals race and while all teams are mathematically a chance, they are simply not playing well enough to deserve a spot in the finals.

Canberra have the bye next week and if results go their way, they could very well move out of eighth position with the Dragons and Broncos struggling for form at the wrong time of year.

Scorers:
Wests Tigers: 18
Tries: Daniel Fitzhenry, Chris Heighington, Scott Prince
Goals: Scott Prince 3/4
Canberra Raiders: 19
Tries: Phillip Graham, Adam Mogg, Alan Tongue
Goals: Clinton Schifcofske 3/3
Field Goals: Todd Carney

By the Clock:


1 min: NEWS We are underway at Campbelltown with the Tigers kicking off to the Raiders.

4 min: NEWS Raiders starting very shaky as usual with the Tigers applying the pressure early.

7 min: NEWS Canberra making a lot of unforced errors early on with two drop balls and undisciplined penalties.

8 min: TRY Wests Tigers
Tigers score with ease and one would have to think if Canberra are interested in securing a top eight finish. Conversion successful
Tigers 6-0

11 min: NEWS Adam Mogg knocks the ball on for the second time today. Canberra have not turned up to play today. They look terrible.

14 min: NEWS Thompson knocks on again.

15 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
Canberra score an opportunist try through Alan Tongue after Canberra knocked on, the Tigers spin the ball wide and lose it, giving Canberra an opportunity to score.
6 all.

19 min: NEWS Canberra give away their fourth penalty and have thrown discipline out the window.

20 min: NEWS Scott Prince knocks on just short of the line to let Canberra off the hook for the time being.

25 min: NEWS Canberra murder a try through Adam Mogg. Mogg passed the ball when he was practically over the line.

28 min: TRY Wests Tigers
Canberra are imploding today on the back of a 6-1 penalty count in favour of the Tigers. Daniel Fitzhenry takes full advantage and makes the Raiders pay with a try in the corner.
Tigers 12-6

32 min: NEWS Fitzhenry knocks on and gives the Raiders a chance to level the scores.

32 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
Phil Graham scores for the Raiders and somehow, the Raiders are still in the hunt after a terrible first half of footy.
12 all.

35 min: NEWS Ryan O'Hara does his former team a favour with a knock on in his own twenty metre line.

36 min: NEWS Carney loses the ball with the line wide open.

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

44 min: NEWS Canberra throw the ball into touch and bomb another try.

47 min: NEWS Canberra turn the ball over yet again. Neither side are taking their chances at the moment.

53 min: NEWS Canberra blow another scoring chance through a bad pass from Lincoln Withers.

55 min: NEWS Tigers knock on inside the Raiders 20.

57 min: NEWS Scott Prince kicks a 40/20 to give the Tigers a great chance to get ahead in the match.

59 min: NEWS Tigers almost score but go into touch to let the Raiders off the hook once again.

63 min: NEWS Canberra throw a forward pass and blow another opportunity. Tigers have had all the possession and field position but still can't put the Raiders away.

65 min: NEWS Adrian Purtell knocks on ten metres out from his own line. Canberra do not want to win this match.

69 min: NEWS Still no change in the score with a great crowd of 18,474 just announced.

70 min: NEWS David Howell fumbles a bomb and gives the ball straight back to the Tigers.

70 min: NEWS David Howell stretchered from the field after injuring his ankle when he dropped the bomb.

71 min: NEWS Schifcofske takes the ball dead so the Tigers will get the ball back. We are in field goal time now with under ten to go.

72 min: TRY Wests Tigers
Tigers put Canberra to the sword through Scott Prince. Prince keeps the Tigers slim finals hopes alive.
Tigers 16-12

78 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
Canberra score through Adam Mogg and have a chance to take the lead for the first time in the match with three minutes remaining. At worst, we are probably looking at golden point.
Raiders 18-16

79 min: PENALTY GOAL Wests Tigers
We are heading to golden point. Tigers successful with a penalty goal.
18 all.

85 min: NEWS No score at the completion of the first half of extra time.

90 min: FIELD GOAL Canberra Raiders
Todd Carney does it again with a 40 metre field to give Canberra the win and pretty much eliminates the Tigers, Panthers, Cowboys and Sharks from the finals race.
Raiders 19-18

90 min: FIELD GOAL Canberra Raiders
Canberra win through a field goal to Todd Carney and the win pretty much eliminates the Tigers, Panthers, Cowboys and Sharks from the finals race.
Raiders 20-18
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Scott Prince (Tigers)
2 - Todd Carney (Raiders)
1 - Alan Tongue (Raiders)
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