Raiders win U/20s grand final in extra time

The Canberra Raiders side have pulled off a stunning 28-24 extra time victory over the Brisbane Broncos in today's Toyota Cup (National Youth Competition) Under 20s Grand Final.

After 80 minutes of football, the scores were locked up at 24-all, the deadlock being broken when Raiders forward Jarrad Kennedy scored a try in the 87th minute.

In a close opening encounter, the scores were locked up at 6-all after 16 minutes. The Raiders edged ahead to 12-6 in the 26th minute before the Broncos scored the next two tries and post a 16-12 lead at half time.

The Broncos went further ahead soon after the break with a try winger Jharal Yow Yeh and at 20-12 they looked to be gaining the acendancy. But opposing winger Drury Low struck back in the 53rd minute to put the Raiders in the back in the hunt.

A converted try to Raiders fullback Josh Dugan gave the minor premiers 24-20 lead with less than 14 minutes of normal time remaining.

But the Broncos hit back again with Yow Yeh getting a double after pulling off a clever one-on-one strip in the 68th minute. Yow Yeh's try and unsuccesful conversion attempt from halfback Ben Hunt made it 24-all, with the match eventually heading into golden point extra time.

Following a number of unsuccessful field goal attempts, the contest was finally decided thanks to a speculative chip kick from Raiders five eighth Michael Picker on his own side of half way. A regather from a forward standing wide of the ruck, and some handy support play saw Kennedy into a gap and enough open space to score under the posts.

Match Details Canberra Raiders 28 vs Brisbane Broncos 24 U20s NYC Grand Final - Sunday :: October 5th, 2008 2:15pm Venue: ANZ Stadium, Homebush Referee: Shayne Hayne Touch Judges: Adam Reid & Brenden Wood Half time: Broncos 16-12

Canberra Raiders 28 Tries: Michael Picker (2), Drury Low, Josh Dugan, Jarrad Kennedy Field Goals: Michael Picker (0/4) Goals: Josh Dugan (4/4) Brisbane Broncos 24 Tries: Ben Hunt, Michael Spence, Brendon Gibb, Jharal Yow Yeh (2) Field Goals: Ben Hunt (0/1), Jared Kahu (0/1) Goals: Ben Hunt (2/5)

LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Match 3 Points: Michael Picker (Raiders) 2 Points: Travis Waddell (Raiders) 1 Point: Ben Hunt (Broncos)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

TEAMS: Canberra Raiders 1. Josh Dugan 2. Drury Low 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Daniel Vidot 5. Michael Brophy 6. Michael Picker 7. Matt Smith 15. Andrew Edwards 9. Travis Waddell 10. Nick Skinner 11. Jarrad Kennedy 12. Zac Merritt 13. Shaun Fensom (c) Interchange: 14. Brock Dunn 16. Justin Carney 17. Todd Rheinberger, 18. Levi Freeman Coach: Tony Adam Brisbane Broncos 1. Josh Hoffman 2. Mitch Rivett 3. Will Tupou 4. Brendon Gibb 5. Jharal Yow Yeh 6. Jared Kahu 7. Ben Hunt 8. Josh McGuire 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Mitchell Dodds 11. Matt Handcock 12. Troyden Watene 13. Alex Glenn (c) Interchange: 14. Michael Spence 15. Dunamis Lui 16. Guy Ford 17. Tom Butterfield Coach: Anthony Griffin

TEAM CHANGES: Raiders - 8. Matt Britt is out. 15. Andrew Edwards into the run on side. 18. Levi Freeman on the bench. Broncos - No changes.

Teams on the field. 1st v 2nd with the Raiders starting as favourites.

A delayed start due to the NSW Cup fixture going into extra time.

Broncos kick off and the U20s grand final is underway!

5 min: Still 0-0 with the Broncos pressing the Raiders goal line in the opening couple of minutes. Raiders defence holds them out.

10 min: TRY Canberra Raiders Five eighth Michael Picker scores next to the sticks after setting up play earlier on. Forward Jarrad Kennedy in there as well with a line break in the lead up. Conversion attempt by Josh Dugan successful. Canberra Raiders 6-0

16 min: TRY Brisbane Broncos Halfback Ben Hunt scores next to posts and the Broncos strike back. Set up by hooker Andrew McCullough who made a bust up the middle from 25m out. Conversion attempt by Ben Hunt successful. 6 all

26 min: TRY Canberra Raiders Picker gets a double after chasing an up-and-under. Broncos winger Mitch Rivett unable to take the kick and perhaps unlucky as a Raiders chaser may have tackled him mid-air. Referee said it was OK and awards the try. Conversion attempt by Dugan successful from right in front. Canberra Raiders 12-6

29 min: TRY Brisbane Broncos Forward Michael Spence crashes over 10m wide of the posts. Spence running a great line onto a McCullough pass from 10m out. Conversion attempt by Hunt successful. 12 all

33 min: NO TRY as Broncos backrower Troyden Watene crashes over after receiving a pass from Hunt. The referee immediately calls it back for a forward pass.

39 min: TRY Brisbane Broncos Centre Brendon Gibb scores in the corner, showing plenty of strength to get around the cover defenders. Conversion attempt by Hunt unsuccessful. Brisbane Broncos 16-12

Half time: Broncos 16-12 A fairly even match. The Broncos try right on the stroke of half time would be a heart breaker for the Raiders. This contest is close to call but the Broncos just doing a little more to look better of the two.

Second half underway...

44 min: TRY Brisbane Broncos Winger Jharal Yow Yeh scores in the corner on the end of overlap. Early in the second half and the Broncos forcing errors in defence and looking sharper in attack, especially around the ruck. Conversion attempt by Hunt unsuccessful. Brisbane Broncos 20-12

46 min: A great 50m kick from Hunt and excellent chase traps the Raiders behind their goal line, and the Broncos will get another opportunity. Possession flow and field position now going all the way of the Broncos.

53 min: TRY Canberra Raiders Winger Drury Low on the end of some razzle-dazzle and a top team try which includes two kicks and numerous passes across the back line. Sideline conversion attempt by Dugan successful. Brisbane Broncos 20-18

62 min: Broncos with plenty of chances but the Raiders defence is holding firm.

63 min: Raiders backrower Zac Merritt makes a 50m break wide of the ruck. The final pass to his side supports goes to ground with the eventual recipient being tackled into touch. Coming into a crucial period of the match.

66 min: TRY Canberra Raiders Fullback Josh Dugan runs onto a well timed pass from hooker Travis Waddell, Dugan running through the hole and 30m to score under the posts. Conversion attempt by Josh Dugan successful. Canberra Raiders 24-20

68 min: TRY Brisbane Broncos Yow Yeh manages a one-on-one strip against Waddell and then scampers down the touchline for 30m before being ankle tapped. He recovers well enough to get up and dive over the line to score his second try of the day. Wide conversion attempt by Hunt unsuccessful. 24 all

72 min: ATTEMPTED FIELD GOAL Brisbane Broncos Hunt makes the Broncos first attempt at field goal. 40m out, low, has the distance but goes well wide. 24 all

75-77 min: Broncos with the opportunities, a penalty, a lucky bounce and repeat set all putting the Raiders under pressure. But the Raiders survive and we're only a few minutes from full time.

77 min: ATTEMPTED FIELD GOAL Canberra Raiders Raiders field goal attempt from Picker from 40m out is a shocker, turned into a 35m grubber kick. 24 all

79 min: ATTEMPTED FIELD GOAL Canberra Raiders Picker has another shot from 40m out. This time too high and doesn't have the distance. 24 all

80 min: ATTEMPTED FIELD GOAL Brisbane Broncos Jared Kahu has a shot from 35m out but no dice. We're off to extra time for the second time today! 24 all

GOLDEN POINT EXTRA TIME: 24-all

81 min: ATTEMPTED FIELD GOAL Canberra Raiders Picker rushes and misses the first extra time attempt to break the deadlock. 24 all

85 min: ATTEMPTED FIELD GOAL Canberra Raiders Picker from 40m, too wide and too low. 24 all

Half time in extra time: 24-all Its now unlimited time until we get a result. Next scorer wins.

86 min: Deep kick from Hunt sees the Raiders trying to ruck it out from their own 10m line.

87 min: TRY Canberra Raiders Forward Jarad Kennedy races away to score under the posts and that's full time! Kennedy the final receiver in a 55m movement following a clever chip kick from Picker in his own half. Canberra Raiders 28-24

Full time: Raiders 28-24 Raiders win the Toyota Cup - the 2008 premiers in the Under 20s National Youth Competition.