Resolute Roosters repel Raiders

The Sydney Roosters have defeated the Canberra Raiders 22-12 in this afternoon's Round 17 encounter in front of 10767 fans at Canberra Stadium. Roosters' halfback Todd Carney was a standout as the Raiders slumped to yet another home defeat as the walls of their once impenetrable Canberra Stadium fortress appear to be cracking.

The Roosters opened the scoring after 12 minutes when former Raider Todd Carney scooped up a loose pass and raced 90 metres to score underneath the posts. The Raiders were playing some razzle dazzle football and only needed to get the ball wide, but an offload from Dane Tilse was gleefully accepted by Carney. The Roosters extended their lead from the ensuing set of six after the restart when Carney attempted a 40/20 which was headed for the touchline, but Canberra fullback Josh Dugan got to the ball just in time, knocking the ball back into the field of play. Unfortunately for him, Roosters winger Sam Perrett was racing down the touchline and picked up the loose ball at full pace, before diving over out wide. The Raiders, despite having 20 tackles in the Roosters 20 metre zone, took until the 22nd minute to open their account, although there are indications they may have been lucky to have been awarded the try. Joel Thompson took advantage of Vidot's knock back, although replays have indicated the ball was knocked on, to dive over. Croker converted from the sideline to close the gap to four. Undoubtedly the best try of the half came in the shadows of halftime and was started by Raiders' superstar Josh Dugan. Carney chip-kicked on the last, looking for Anthony Minichiello, but Dugan marvellously scooped up the loose ball, before shrugging off some would-be defenders and racing 60 metres downfield. Unfortunately for him, Sam Perrett chased him down, but from the ensuing quick play-the-ball, Joel Monaghan carried several Roosters defenders over the tryline to put the Raiders in front at halftime.

The second half took a while to get going in terms of points on the board as both teams played field position and tried to force an error from their opponents. In the 54th minute, the Roosters put their noses in front, this time it was for good when centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall crossed out wide as the Raiders left-edge defence was found wanting. In the 68th minute, Roosters' hooker Jake Friend put the result beyond doubt when he took advantage of a Josh Dugan knock-on from a high Braith Anasta kick. The 22-12 scoreline would be the fulltime score as the Raiders suffered successive home defeats in the space of less than a week.

Next week, the Raiders will look to bounce back against the Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval next Saturday night. The Roosters will tackle the Rabbitohs at the SFS on Friday night as both teams look to get some momentum heading towards the finals.

Match Details
Canberra Raiders 12 were defeated by Sydney Roosters 22
National Rugby League - NRL - Round 17 - Sunday July 4, 2010 2:00pm
Venue: Canberra Stadium
Referee: Tony De Las Heras and Ben Cummins
Video Referee: Phil Cooley
Touch Judges: Luke Potter and Russell Turner
Crowd: 10767
Halftime: Canberra Raiders 12 Sydney Roosters 10

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Todd Carney (1 Try, 3 Conversions)
2 Points - Shaun Kenny-Dowall (1 Try)
1 Point - Jake Friend (1 Try)

CANBERRA RAIDERS (12)
Tries: Joel Monaghan, Joel Thompson
Conversions: Jarrod Croker (2/2)

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (22)
Tries: Todd Carney, Sam Perrett, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Jake Friend
Conversions: Todd Carney (3/4)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary And welcome here to a chilly, but fine Canberra Stadium for this afternoon's Round 17 encounter between the Raiders and the Roosters. Both teams are coming off last-start losses, with the Roosters being defeated by the Warriors in the final minute in Christchurch last Sunday afternoon. The Raiders, meanwhile, suffered another loss at home on Monday night, going down to the Bulldogs.

In team news, both teams will be as per program, with Josh McCrone and Sam Mataora dropping off the bench. Daniel Conn and Lopini Paea will drop off the Roosters bench. There has also been a late scratching with today's officials. Ben Cummins will replace Steve Lyons.

In the Toyota Cup, the Roosters have run out 28-18 victors over the Raiders.

Kick off for first grade will be in a little over 40 minutes time. Join me then for all the action as the Raiders tackle the Roosters.
There has been some drama in the Roosters warm-up with Phil Graham suffering a cork in a collision with a teammate. At this stage, it looks like the Roosters will roll the dice and play him.
And we're underway here at Canberra Stadium. The Roosters will have first use of the ball, defending the northern end of Canberra Stadium.
2 min: The Raiders have dropped the ball with their first use! The Roosters will go on the attack for the first time this afternoon.
3 min: Goal-line dropout Raiders. The Roosters have completed their second set of the match, Carney has grubbered into the in-goal and the Roosters will again go on the attack.
3 min: Ryles has knocked the ball on from the second hit up after the restart. The Raiders breathe a sigh of relief and will look to work the ball downfield.
4 min: PENALTY Raiders. The Roosters penalised for being inside the ten. The Raiders to go on the attack.
6 min: Carney has attempted a 40/20, but has found touch 30m out from the Raiders line. Both teams with a stroll to the scrum.
8 min: Great chase from the Raiders defence in Vidot! The Roosters worked the ball down their left hand side and raced downfield, Linnet drew the fullback, passed on the inside to Anasta, who didn't have the pace and the tackle from the winger jolted the ball loose and into touch.
12 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Todd Carney. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Todd Carney intercepts some flamboyant Raiders' attack and races downfield to open the scoring for this afternoon. The Raiders appeared to be certain to score, but Carney, like a thief in the night, scooped up an offload and raced 90m to score under the posts.
Sydney Roosters 6-0
14 min: VIDEO REFEREE: Possible Roosters try. Checking onside. Carney has attempted a 40/20 and Dugan has raced across field, gone to tap the ball back into the field of play, and Perrett has swooped.
14 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Sam Perrett. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney unsuccessful.
The Roosters extend their lead to double figures. Carney's kick for the 40/20 has not got the desired result in terms of a scrum feed, but Perrett has taken full advantage of Dugan's bat-back into the field of play to extend the Roosters lead and dive over out wide.
Sydney Roosters 10-0
21 min: Friend has kicked out of dummy half, attempting another 40/20 which has missed out by the barest of margins. It appears the Roosters' tactics are to put Dugan under as much pressure positionally as possible.
21 min: PENALTY Raiders. The Roosters are penalised for taking too long to get off the tackled player.
22 min: VIDEO REFEREE: Possible Raiders try. Checking knock-on and onside.
22 min: TRY
TRY Canberra Raiders
Scored by Joel Thompson. Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
Joel Thompson has been awarded the try, after Mogg kicked to the corner and Vidot may have knocked the ball on while contesting, but the video referee has ruled otherwise. A stroke of luck perhaps for the Raiders.
Sydney Roosters 10-6
24 min: Mogg has taken the ball over the deadball line from the kick-off and the Roosters will again go on the attack to extend their lead.
25 min: PENALTY Raiders. Aubusson penalised for a careless high tackle after Carney's kick ricocheted off the post.
26 min: In back-play, Anasta has reeled out of a tackle, clutching his chest.
26 min: PENALTY Raiders. Roosters offside.
27 min: Campese's grubber kick into the in-goal has been kicked over the deadball line by Todd Carney. Anasta appears to have recovered and will take the dropout.
32 min: Joel Thompson has scooped up a loose pass from the Roosters, but appears as though he has suffered an injury to his right leg. He is with the trainer at the moment.
32 min: Carney's pass has been ruled forward and the Raiders will look to regain the lead in the shadows of halftime. Somehow the Roosters are in front despite being in their own territory for 72% of the half.
33 min: PENALTY Raiders. The Roosters again taking too long to get off the tackled player, but referee Cummins has called time off as Thurling lies prostrate on the ground, getting medical attention.
34 min: Again, the Raiders have thrown the ball away as the Roosters dive on a loose ball.
36 min: TRY
TRY Canberra Raiders
Scored by Joel Monaghan. Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
Joel Monaghan has topped off a great Canberra try! Carney chipkicked for the Roosters, Dugan scooped up the loose ball, shrugged off a few would-be tackles, raced 60 metres downfield, before getting up and delivering a quick play-the-ball and Monaghan has dived over alongside the posts.
Canberra Raiders 12-10
40 min: Halftime here at Canberra Stadium in a very closely fought battle between these two sides. The Raiders lead the Roosters 12-10.
40 min: And the second half is underway. The Raiders will get the first use of the ball.
45 min: Both teams have started the second half very well, completing their sets and getting to their kicks. The Raiders do have the edge in field position and are looking to force an error.
48 min: Knock-on Roosters. Friend has knocked on while picking the ball up from dummy half.
49 min: Croker has been bundled into touch, but thrown the ball back on the inside which has been touched by the Roosters and the Raiders will feed a scrum.
51 min: The Roosters have again repelled the Raiders with some excellent defence.
54 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Shaun Kenny-Dowall. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Kenny-Dowall puts the Roosters back in front! A shift of play down the Roosters right edge saw Aubusson into space. Aubusson then drew fullback Dugan and offloaded to Kenny-Dowall who dived over to score in the corner.
Sydney Roosters 16-12
59 min: PENALTY Roosters. The Roosters finally receive their first penalty of the afternoon and will now go in a rare adventure to Raiders territory.
67 min: VIDEO REFEREE: Possible Roosters try. Checking knock-on and onside.
68 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Jake Friend. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Friend takes advantage of a Dugan knock-on from a high Anasta kick, scooping up the scraps and diving over under the posts to extend the Roosters lead and perhaps seal the two competition points.
Sydney Roosters 22-12
70 min: Knock-on Roosters. Kenny-Dowall was into space, but couldn't get the pass to an unmarked Perrett and has subsequently knocked the ball on in the play-the-ball.
78 min: As we approach fulltime here at Canberra Stadium, the Roosters will pick up a valuable two competition points, while the Raiders will slump to a second successive loss at home.
79 min: Harrison knocks the ball on attempting to get a quick play-the-ball, summing up the Raiders afternoon.
80 min: Fulltime here at Canberra Stadium where the Roosters 22 have defeated the Raiders 12.