Raiders win thriller in extra time

Round 12
North Queensland Cowboys 14 v Canberra Raiders 15
at Dairy Farmers Stadium
Referees: Gavin Badger

Match Summary:
The Canberra Raiders have defeated the Noth Queensland Cowboys 15 - 14 in extra time at Dairy Farmers Stadium tonight.

The Raiders opened the scoring against the run of play after only 6 minutes when David Howell defused a bomb on his own line and ran through the defence before linking up with Ashley Graham who scored the length of the field try. The Cowboys didn't take long to hit back wth a 4 pointer to Gavin Cooper and the scores were level at 6 all after 11 minutes.

The Cowboys were the better side in the first 20 minutes with the Raiders making errors and giving away silly penalties. Thurston kicked a penalty goal in the 19th minute to give the home side a 2 point lead.

But the Raiders started to play constructive football and in the 25th minute they scored the try of the match through David Howell after a great chip and chase from Phil Graham. The Raiders kept the Cowboys scoreless for the remainder of the first half to go in at the break leading 12 - 8.

The second half was an arm wrestle with strong defence from both sides dominating. The Cowboys got the only try for the half with Johnathon Thurston scoring out wide and kicking a sensational goal to level the scores up at 14 all.

The Cowboys threw everything at the Raiders in the last 10 minutes but were unable to breach the line as great defence from the Raiders saw rushed passes going to ground.

The match then went to extra time, with both teams getting shots at field goal that were unsuccessful. Todd Carney then kicked the winning point with a beautifully struck field goal from 40 metres to give the Raiders a thoroughly deserved victory.

No one really stood out for either side with good team performances from both sides. Clinton Schifcofske was great in defence and attack in the second half and saved a few tries to keep the Raiders in the match. Phillip Graham scored a great try and set up another. Johnathon Thurston was best for the Cowboys as he tried his heart out. Special mention also to Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and Carl Webb who had strong games.

Scorers:
North Queensland Cowboys: 14
Tries: Johnathan Thurston, Gavin Cooper
Goals: Johnathan Thurston 3/3
Canberra Raiders: 15
Tries: Phillip Graham, David Howell
Goals: Clinton Schifcofske 3/3
Field Goals: Todd Carney

By the Clock:
Welcome to far North Queensland for tonights round 12 clash between 1st placed North Queensland and 12th placed Canberra. The Cowboys will have all their origin stars backing up except Luke O'Donnell.
The Cowboys will be expected to win comfortably at home but the Raiders have a good record here at Dairy Farmers and seem to play better against the top teams.


1 min: NEWS Cowboys kick off and play is underway.

2 min: NEWS Penalty to Cowwboys and they will go on the attack early

4 min: NEWS A let off for the Raiders after the Cowboys get repeat sets and Thurston knocks on

6 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
The Raiders go the length of the field after David Howell takes the high ball on his own line and links up with Phillip Graham who has too much speed for Matt Bowen. Conversion successful from the sideline
Raiders 6-0

11 min: TRY North Queensland Cowboys
The Raiders are made to pay for another error after the Cowboys spread the ball to Cooper who goes through some weak defence to score an easy try. Converssion successful
6 all.

13 min: NEWS Cowboys will go on the attack again after Withers is penalised for stripping the ball in a 2 man tackle

17 min: NEWS Possession Cowboys 65% to the Raiders 35%

19 min: PENALTY GOAL North Queensland Cowboys
Schifcofske is penalised for taking Thurston out after he kicked through.
Cowboys 8-6

21 min: NEWS The Raiders will get the ball for the first time inside the Cowboys 20 metres after a knock on in the play the ball from the Cowboys

22 min: NEWS Cowboys goal line drop out

25 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
Nice Try from the Raiders after a great chip and chase from Phillip Graham who gets a good pass away to return the favour for David Howell who runs around to score near the post. Conversion successful
Raiders 12-8

32 min: NEWS After a shaky start with some silly mistakes and penalties the Raiders seem to have settled well now

34 min: NEWS Off to the Video Ref possible Try to the Raiders

34 min: NEWS No Try - Marshall Chalk ruled offside

36 min: NEWS Off to the Video Ref again this time for a possible Cowboys Try

36 min: NEWS No Try - David Howell makes a meal of a Thurston grubber kick into the in goal, but lucky for the Raiders Justin Smith couldn't control the ball and knocked on. Goal line drop out Raiders

38 min: NEWS The Raiders nearly go the length of the field and miss a Try after Chalk puts the ball down with the line in sight.

40 min: NEWS Halftime....
After a shaky first 20 minutes from the Raiders who gave away some silly penalties and made errors, they seem to have settled a bit better than the
Cowboys and are playing some good football. The Cowboys on the other hand need to improve on last tackle options who have had plenty of possession in the Raiders 20 metres but have not been able to take advantage of their opportunities and have made a few mistakes under pressure, whilst on the other hand the Raiders have generally made the most their chances.
Can the Raiders cause an upset. Stay tuned for the second half...

41 min: NEWS Raiders get the second half underway

45 min: NEWS No change to the halftime score- Raiders 12 Cowboys 8

51 min: PENALTY GOAL Canberra Raiders
Cowboys penalised for putting the man on the ground after the ref called held. A converted Try now the difference
Raiders 14-8

53 min: NEWS The Cowboys go on the attack after the Raiders put the ball down from the kick off

54 min: NEWS Great defence from the Raiders who deny the Cowboys again. 20 metre restart

58 min: NEWS The Cowboys are denied again after Brenton Bowen makes a break down the wing and is ankle tapped by Craig Frawley to save a certain Try.

62 min: TRY North Queensland Cowboys
The Cowboys keep the ball alive well down the flank for Thurston to score out wide. Thurston convert his own try from the sideline. Game on now...
14 all.

65 min: NEWS The Cowboys put down a chance, but it looks like the momentum is starting to swing their way

66 min: NEWS Goal line drop out for the Raiders. The intencity level has lifted for the Cowboys..

70 min: NEWS 10 minutes to go.. Scores all locked up at 14 all

72 min: NEWS Raiders knock on after a little chip kick from Thurston.. Cowboys on the attack.

73 min: NEWS Cowboys return the favour after Webb knocks on in the dummy half.

74 min: NEWS Penalty to the Raiders, they go on the attack now..

75 min: NEWS The last pass goes to ground for the Raiders who spread the ball wide after the Cowboys were expecting the field goal attempt.

76 min: NEWS The Cowboys nearly score here and are denied a field goal with a great charge down and catch from the Raiders. Anyones game still

77 min: NEWS The Cowboys put the ball down again when in good field position. End to end stuff here. What a great contest

79 min: NEWS The Cowboys have had some good chances in the last 10 but have rushed their passes and blown some good chances. Looks like we are off to golden point.

80 min: NEWS Off to extra time here after some great work from the Raiders to thwart the attempts of the Cowboys in the last 10 minutes...

81 min: NEWS Extra time underway. Cowboys kick off

83 min: NEWS Both teams complete their sets of six safely

84 min: NEWS Cowboys get the first shot at filed goal through Matt Bowen but the kick is well wide under pressure

84 min: NEWS 10 seconds to go in the first half and the raiders knock on. Will Cowboys get a shot at field goal ?

85 min: NEWS The Cowboys spread the ball instead of going for field goal and Brenton Bowen grubbers into the in goal but the Raiders clean up. Halftime in extra time 5 minutes to go.

85 min: NEWS Raiders kick off.


87 min: FIELD GOAL Canberra Raiders
Todd Carney beautifully converts a 40 metre field goal to sink the Cowboys and come away with the points in a great game of football

The Raiders have produced the upset of the round to grind out a gritty win with some great defence in the second half. The Cowboys threw everything at them in the last 10 but were unable to come with any points after having some good chances.

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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Clinton Schifcofske (Raiders)
2 - Phillip Graham (Raiders)
1 - Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys)
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