Sharks hang on to defeat Raiders in
Canberra

Fulltime score: Round 10 CANBERRA RAIDERS 26 v CRONULLA SHARKS 32

Match summary: The Cronulla Sharks have held out a late rally from the Canberra Raiders to claim a 32-26 victory in the nation's capital today.

In an entertaining match, the Raiders were the first to score through centre Phil Graham who crossed for the first of his two tries after just two minutes.

In the eighth minute, Sharks' winger Luke Covell slotted a penalty goal and the Raiders held a 4-2 lead.

The Raiders went further ahead in the 22nd minute and again two minutes later with tries to Tyran Smith and Phil Graham.

After 24 minutes, the Raiders held a handy 16-2 lead.

But the Sharks struck back with two tries in five minutes as winger David Simmons and forward Phil Bailey crossed to get within two points of the Raiders.

At half time Canberra held a narrow 16-14 lead.

Raiders' full back Marshall Chalk crossed for a four-pointer soon after the break to put the home side in front by six points.

Minutes later Sharks' half back Brett Kimmorley kicked for himself to score and with 30 minutes of the match remaining, the scores were locked up at 20-all.

The Sharks went further ahead with two converted tries to five-eighth Adam Dykes and centre Nigel Vagana.

With 12 minutes remaining, hooker Lincoln Withers scored for the Raiders and at 32-26, the match was set up for a nail-biting finish.

With the result undecided until the final seconds, the Sharks were able to hold on despite the Canberra side launching one last desperate raid down the right flank.

Scorers: CANBERRA RAIDERS 26 Tries: Graham 2, T Smith, Chalk, Withers Goals: Gafa (3/5) CRONULLA SHARKS 32 Tries: Simmons, Bailey, Kimmorley, Dykes, Vagana Goals: Covell (6/6) Field Goals: Kimmorley (0/1)

Canberra Stadium Crowd: 13,844 Referee: Tim Mander Half time: Raiders 16-14

Live commentary: 0 min: Cronulla kick off at a sunny Canberra Stadium!

2 min: TRY - Raiders Phil Graham scores after some great passing. Gafa misses the conversion. Raiders 4 - 0 Sharks.

8 min: PENALTY GOAL - Sharks Covell slots a goal from 22 out, right in front after the Raiders were pinged for a strip. Raiders 4 - 2 Sharks.

20 min: Entertaining game, both teams showing decent attack and great defence.

22 min: TRY - Raiders Jason Smith puts Tyran Smith over in a similar position to the Raiders first try. Gafa converts. Raiders 10 - 2 Sharks.

24 min: TRY - Raiders Phil Graham picks up the dregs after Kimmorley drops a Jason Smith banana kick. Gafa converts. Raiders 16 - 2 Sharks.

27 min: NEWS - Simon Woolford is put on report for a high tackle.

32 min: TRY - Sharks Simmons sails high over Gafa and takes a bomb from Kimmorley to score. Covell converts. Raiders 16 - 8 Sharks.

36 min: TRY - Sharks Phil Bailey scores out wide after some great lead up work by Simmons and Vagana. Covell converts from touch. Raiders 16 - 14 Sharks.

40 min: NO TRY - Sharks The Raiders drop a grubber before Mellor drops the rebound over the try line.

HALF TIME: The Sharks have done well to pull back a 14 point defecit in a highly entertaining match up.

40 min: Play restarts for the second half.

44 min: TRY - Raiders Marshall Chalk scores off some tidy lead up work by the Raiders, especially Jason Smith. Gafa just misses the conversion. Raiders 20 - 14 Sharks.

48 min: TRY - Sharks Kimmorley chips for himself and scores under the posts after a strong Leuluai run. Covell converts from under the posts. Raiders 20 - 20 Sharks.

51 min: TRY - Sharks Kimmorley passes to Dykes who has an open run through to the line, and the Sharks lead for the first time. Covell converts. Raiders 20 - Sharks 26.

61 min: TRY - Sharks Peachey flicks the ball to Vagana after the Sharks get several repeat sets. A nice set move off the scrum. Covell converts. Raiders 20 - Sharks 32.

65 min: 40/20 - Jason Smith kicks a 40/20 at a vital time for the Raiders.

68 min: TRY - Raiders Jason Smith chips for Withers to score just left of the uprights. Gafa converts. Raiders 26 - Sharks 32.

70 min: NEWS - Peachey knocks on under no pressure after Covell saves another 40/20. Raiders scrum 10 out.

77 min: NEWS - Kimmorley shanks a field goal left of the posts.

FULL TIME: Cronulla hold out a minute of desperate Raiders attack and hold on to win the game.

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - J Smith (Raiders) 2 - B Kimmorley (Sharks) 1 - D Nutley (Sharks) -----------------------------------------