Canberra has held off a fast-finishing Wests Tigers side to scrape home by 20-19 in a thrilling match at Campbelltown Sports Stadium this evening.
The Green Machine dominated the majority of the match, before a Tom Starling Sin Bin led to a dramatic collapse for the Raiders late in the game, which engaged the Tigers into scoring three tries in a stunning five minutes of free-flowing football.
Raiders half Jamal Fogarty sealed victory following a controversial late penalty, which saw Tigers backrower Isaiah Papali'i penalised for a reckless charge down attempt. Replays showed the backrower did clip Fogarty's legs in a charge down attempt in front of the posts, with the ensuing penalty goal sealing the Tigers fate despite the howls of displeasure from the home crowd.
Former Titans half Fogarty was outstanding for the Raiders, scoring two tries, setting up another and kicking the game sealing penalty in a man of the match performance.
For the Tigers it was a heartbreaking loss following a superb final fifteen minutes, where Wests suddenly to life. However, it was ultimately a disappointing overall performance for the Tigers who were miles away from the side that thrashed the Cowboys by 66-12 last start.
Canberra fresh off their trip up the Hume Highway were first on the scoreboard after just six minutes, when halfback Jamal Fogarty produced a clever kick which rebounded off the upright. The crafty number seven then soccered the ball off through for himself to give his side an early 6-0 lead following the conversion to his own try.
The game continued back and forth with both sides making easy metres but failing to execute when in their respective attacking zones.
Canberra then managed to take control of the match, when Fogarty produced a towering bomb which was spilled by Tigers rookie fullback Jahream Bula. Veteran winger Jordan Rapana then picked up the scraps to score the Raiders second try and following Fogarty's conversion gave the Green Machine a 12-0 lead at halftime.
It was a strange case of deja vu after the break, when Fogarty produced almost an identical try to his first, kicking towards the upright and collecting the ball to extend the visitors lead to 18-0 following the conversion to his own try.
The Raiders looked to be cruising towards a steady win, when the game was suddenly turned on its head in the 67th minute, when Starling was marched to the Sin Bin following a blatant ruck infringement on his own line.
Wests took advantage immediately when Jahream Bula slid over close to line off a terrific run and pass from Tommy Talau. Minutes later it was former Raider John Bateman who came back to haunt his former club, when the Englishman crashed over for back-to-back tries and have the Raiders fans feeling very nervous.
Wests then caused the ultimate boilover, when Brandon Wakeham kicked and regathered for himself to score a clever try and tie up the scores with six minutes remaining.
The Tigers continued to surge upfield and then took a shock lead when Luke Brooks nailed a field goal and put the Tigers in front for the first time in the match.
Canberra wasn't beaten yet however, as strong charges from their key forwards set up Fogarty for the match winner. The twists continued as the field goal attempt missed but the Raiders were given a late reprieve, when they were awarded a penalty in front. Fogarty made no mistake and sealed the win and secured a vital two points for Ricky Stuart's men.
The Green Machine return to Canberra next weekend where they host the Warriors in what will be club captain Jarrod Croker's 300th NRL game.
Wests Tigers will travel to the Gold Coast in Round 15 where they will face the Titans next Thursday night.