CNK stars as Raiders hold out fast-finishing Bulldogs

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Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Canberra Raiders

The Canberra Raiders have snapped a three-game losing streak with a tense 12-10 win over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium. 

Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was immense for the away side, running for just under 300 metres and busting five tackles. 

But his most important play came in defence. 

Trailing by two points, the Bulldogs looked a chance of stealing the win late as Marcelo Montoya steamed down the touchline with teammates looming in support.

But Nicoll-Klokstad dragged the Canterbury centre into touch, sealing the victory for his team. 

It was a thrilling end to what was at times a relatively uninspiring clash.

After an uneventful first 20 minutes the Raiders burst out to a 10-0 lead through tries to Sebastian Kris and John Bateman. 

Both sides had been peppering each other with high balls throughout the first half but Michael Oldfield took it upon himself to contest one and turn it into points.

A brilliant bat back from the Canberra winger was pounced on by teammate Kris who sliced over in the corner. 

Jarrod Croker stepped up to nail the first conversion from the sideline. 

They went back-to-back in the ensuing set, a late offload from Hudson Young seeing Siliva Havili break through the middle and link with Bateman who kicked ahead for himself to score.

Croker couldn't send this one through, with the ball spraying right of the posts.

The Bulldogs entered Saturday night's game as the worst attacking side in the competition and were unable to crack the Raiders early, with errors cruelling any chance they had of building momentum.

Their ball handling was far better in the second half though and they eventually crossed over in the 60th minute through Jack Cogger.

And then like Canberra did in the first half, the Bulldogs scored moments later to lock things up. 

A cut-out ball from Nick Meaney sent Christian Crichton flying down the wing and he then linked back inside with Marcelo Montoya.

After missing his first attempted conversion, Rhyse Martin curled this one back through the posts.

Canterbury were riding a wave of momentum, that was until a one-on-one strip from Jarrod Croker. 

The Bulldogs then conceded a penalty and Croker slotted the two points which proved the difference in the end.

Canberra will look to build on Saturday's win next week against the Tigers while Canterbury host the Dragons on Monday.