Tremendous Tigers comeback against Rabble Raiders

The Wests Tigers have defeated a fast starting Canberra Raiders 35-22 in front of a strong crowd of 17,112 today in Canberra.

Canberra came out of the blocks on fire, opening the scoring in the fifth minute through Dane Tilse who just dummied and muscled his way over. Croker further exposed the Tigers flimsy defense by running away for the second try and finally Fensom scored his first try in the top grade to take their lead to sixteen points.

The Tigers finally got onto the board in the twenty-ninth minute, with Benji Marshall throwing a nice short ball to Fulton for the first of his two tries but Canberra would hit back quickly through Campese who almost scored himself but gave it to Picker who scored close to the posts. Benji would get the final say in the scoring for the first half after Tuiqiri scooped up a loose ball and found Marshall who scored in the corner and kicked the conversion to make it 22-10 at halftime.

After halftime though, it would all be the Tigers as they ran in four tries to complete a shock comeback to defeat the Raiders. Robbie Farah was instrumental in the comeback scoring himself after a long break and kicking the field goal to finally take the lead but it would be Marshall who would leave his stamp on the match.

Marshall was in everything though, setting up tries for Lawrence and Fulton's second and kicking all but two goals but one resulted in a 80th minute try to Beau Ryan, resulting in Marshall receiving the LeagueUnlimited Man of Match for a dazzling performance. This victory marked two in a row for Wests' and Canberra's first home loss.

Next week, the Tigers travel up to North Queensland to face the Cowboys and the Raiders are also on the road against a lackluster Parramatta side.

Match Details
Canberra Raiders 22 were defeated by Wests Tigers 35
National Rugby League - NRL - Round 4 - Sunday April 4, 2010 3:00pm
Venue: Canberra Stadium
Referee: Shayne Hayne and Brett Suttor
Video Referee: Tim Mander
Touch Judges: Jeff Younis and Luke Potter
Crowd: 17,112
Halftime: Canberra Raiders 22 Wests Tigers 10

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Benji Marshall (1 Try, 5 Conversions)
2 Points - Josh Dugan
1 Point - Liam Fulton (2 Tries)

CANBERRA RAIDERS (22)
Tries: Dane Tilse, Joe Picker, Jarrod Croker, Shaun Fensom
Conversions: Terry Campese (3/4)
Penalty Goals: Terry Campese (0/1)

WESTS TIGERS (35)
Tries: Robbie Farah, Liam Fulton (2), Benji Marshall, Chris Lawrence, Beau Ryan
Field Goals: Robbie Farah (1/1)
Conversions: Benji Marshall (5/6)
Penalty Goals: Benji Marshall (0/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome to Canberra Stadium today for the clash between Canberra and the West Tigers. Earlier today, The West Tigers u20 defeated Canberra in a high scoring contest 43-34.
Late changes for Canberra with Adam Mogg on the bench for Troy Thompson.
1 min: Canberra kick us off for today's contest.
5 min: TRY
Josh Dugan makes a break from his own half and it sets Canberra up to give the ball to Dane Tilse to plant the ball for first points. Conversion attempt by Terry Campese successful.
Canberra Raiders 6-0
7 min: Canberra again have made easy metres but Picker tries to throw a long pass out to Stuart but it goes over the sideline.
8 min: Tigers with their first chance through Marshall who shows his human by throwing the ball forward.
10 min: Canberra force their first dropout of the game after Tuqiri is forced back into the in-goal.
12 min: Canberra have nearly scored their second but it's judged to be a double movement.
16 min: TRY
Jarrod Croker manages to stay in the field of play and scores in the corner for Canberra. Conversion attempt by Terry Campese unsuccessful.
Canberra Raiders 10-0
22 min: TRY
Canberra are just scoring at will at the moment, another try this time to Fensom. Conversion attempt by Terry Campese successful.
Canberra Raiders 16-0
30 min: TRY
Josh Dugan saves the day again for Canberra, but he can't stop the Tigers finally getting over the line through Fulton. Conversion attempt by Benji Marshall unsuccessful.
Canberra Raiders 16-4
32 min: Benji drops the ball deep in his own half, offering Canberra a great opportunity to add to their lead.
35 min: TRY
Terry Campese tries to muscle his way over but is caught and pops a ball to Picker who scores the try. Conversion attempt by Terry Campese successful.
Canberra Raiders 22-4
40 min: TRY
Tigers have scored here through Marshall after Tuiqiri picked up a loose ball and sprinted away but threw it to Benji who scores in the corner. Conversion attempt by Benji Marshall successful.
Canberra Raiders 22-10
40 min: HALFTIME - Canberra came out like a house on fire here scoring four tries but Tigers have clawed it back a tad with that try right on halftime.
41 min: Tigers get us back underway, with a safety first set by the Raiders.
43 min: Todd Payten gives a ball straight to the touchy. Scrum to Canberra,
45 min: Canberra lose it after spinning it wide close to their line, Tigers hold on.
50 min: TRY
Farah starts the play in the Tigers own 20 spreading it wide and it ends with Farah finishing the play and scoring under the posts. Conversion attempt by Benji Marshall successful.
Canberra Raiders 22-16
55 min: Canberra after a penalty get a set in Tiger's half but Dugan drops the ball as the pass was a bit in front of him.
61 min: PENALTY GOAL ATTEMPT
Canberra recieve another penalty close to the Tigers line and opt for the penalty but Campese misses.
Canberra Raiders 22-16
63 min: Benji kicks it in-goal and the defence traps Dugan to get a line dropout.
66 min: TRY
A six again call and Marshall pops a nice little pass to Lawrence who runs under the post and scores. Conversion attempt by Benji Marshall successful.
22 all
68 min: Josh Dugan saves his 4th try after Fifita charges and pops it to Lawrence who only had Dugan to beat but he tackles him and it's knocked on.
71 min: FIELD GOAL
Tigers just march the ball upfield and give it to Robbie Farah on the last who slots the field goal easily.
Wests Tigers 23-22
73 min: Tigers drop the ball, giving the Raiders a chance to score or kick a field goal to make it level.
76 min: Dugan loses the ball trying to get Canberra out from their own end.
78 min: TRY
Benji wraps up the game here with another short pass to Fulton, this time who just dives over. Conversion attempt by Benji Marshall successful.
Wests Tigers 29-22
79 min: Off the kick off Campese kicks it out on the full. Tigers to take the shot at goal.
80 min: PENALTY GOAL ATTEMPT
Benji misses the penalty but a possible try here.
Wests Tigers 29-22
80 min: TRY
FULLTIME - It's judged to be a TRY with Vidot smashing Beau Ryan but he bounces over for a Try! Conversion attempt by Benji Marshall successful. What a comeback here by the Tigers.
Wests Tigers 35-22