Scott Prince Puts His Hand Up For
An Origin Berth As The Tigers Outclass The Raiders.

Wests Tigers half back Scott Prince put his hand up for the Queensland number 7 jersey with an excellent performance in the Tigers 26-12 win over the Canberra Raiders on a beautiful autumn day at Campbelltown Stadium.

Prince and young 5/8th Benji Marshall in his first game back from a shoulder injury dominated the first half from the kick off but the Raiders were lucky to going into the sheds at half time trailing 18-8.

The key for the Raiders going into the second half was to shut down Prince and Marshall. While they were able to shut down Benji Marshall, there was no stopping Scott Prince as he put the Raiders in their place with a good kicking game and topped off an excellent day when he scooted 45 meteres to score under the posts with 3 minutes remaining to wrap up proceedings.

Other players that starred for the Tigers were fullback Brett Hodgson who despite being down injured twice in the first half played the full 80 minutes and was very solid at the back and made numerous line breaks, also interchange players Dene Halatau and Todd Payten impressed.

For the Raiders things only seem to be getting worse as they have a difficult road trip next Sunday to take on the inform Melbourne Storm at Olympic Park. For the Tigers today gave their fans hope that they will be able to make their long awaited debut in the top 8 as a joint venture club.

By the clock:

Good news for the Tigers as Benji Marshall and Todd Payten make comebacks from injury. But it is bad news for the Raiders as Jason Croker is a late withdrawal.

0 min: Kick Off

6 min: Try-Tigers: Tigers veteran Mark O'Neil scores his 1st try of season 2004 after pouncing onto a grubber by Scott Prince bounced up off the legs of Raiders half back Brad Drew. Brett Hodgson is successful with the conversion. Tigers 6-0.

10 min: Try-Tigers: Tigers 5/8th Benji Marshall backs up a break made by Brett Hodgson to score close to the posts. Brett Hodgson is successful with the conversion. Tigers 12-0.

15 min: News: Tigers fullback Brett Hodsgon is on the right wing and he isn't looking well.

16 min: Try-Raiders: Winger Joel Monaghan runs 30 meters to score a good try after some good lead up work from Clinton Schifcofske. Schifcofske's bad goal kicking form continues as he misses the conversion. Tigers 12-4

25 min: Try-Tigers: Ben Galea scores under the posts after being put into a gap by a good pass from captain Scott Sattler. Brett Hodgson is successful with the conversion. Tigers 18-4

31 min: News: Tigers half back Scott Prince is receiving attention from the Tigers trainer but he is OK.

34 min: News: Brett Hodgson is down in back play again.

37 min: News: Veterans Darren Senter and Simon Woolford exchange plesantries but referee Jason Robinson is to quick to quell the problem.

40 min: Try-Raiders: Lock Matt Gafa who was a late addition to the starting line up in place of Jason Croker scores in the corner after a magnificent cut out pass out of dummy half from 5/8th Mark Mclinden. Clinton Schifcofske is unsuccessful with the conversion. Tigers 18-8.

Half Time Report: In a Fast and Furious game on a beautiful sunny autumn day in Sydney's south west the Tigers although leading will be dissapointed that they are only holding onto a 10 point lead as they have been by far the better side with halves Benji Marshall and Scott Prince looking dangerous everytime they get the ball. If the Raiders are to have any hope of winning they will have to shut down these two and also tighten up their defence on the left hand side.

53 min: News: Raiders 5/8th is down receiving attention on his left eye from the Raiders trainer.

58 min: News: The game is getting down to a stalemate.

62 min: Try-Raiders: Centre Adam Mogg gets through some lacklusture defence by the Tigers to run 50 metres to score in the corner. Clinton Schifcofske is unsuccessful with the conversion. Tigers 18-12. The Raiders are finishing the stronger.

67 min: Goal-Tigers: Brett Hodgson is successful with an attempt at penalty goal from 25 metres out right in front of the posts after Raiders interchange player Josh Miller is penalised for holding down in the ruck.

75 min: News: Raiders 5/8th Mark Mclinden is denied a try by video referee Sean Hampstead after he ruled the McLinden was gulity of a double movement. It is going to be nearly impossible for the Raiders to win from here.

77 min: Try-Tigers: Tigers half back Scott Prince scoots 45 metres out of dummy half to score under the posts. Brett Hodgson is successful with the conversion. Tigers 26-12.

Fulltime Report: On a beautiful autumn day in Sydney's south west the Tigers have given their fans plenty of hope that this year they will be able to make a push for the top 8. For the Raiders this is their 3rd loss on the trot and with a road trip down to Melbourne next week to take on the in form storm things just seem to be getting harder for the Raiders. ----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - S Prince(Tigers) 2 - B Hodgson(Tigers) 1 - D Halatau(Tigers) -----------------------------------------