Canberra conjure a comeback as Manly let two points slip

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Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Canberra Raiders

A remarkable comeback has seen the Canberra Raiders defeat the Manly Sea Eagles 26-24 on Friday evening.

Trailing 20-0 inside the opening half hour before rallying to hit the front with only four minutes to play, the Raiders shone on a rain-soaked night to record only their eighth win from 19 appearances at 4 Pines Park in the NRL era.

Coming close to opening the scoring following an audacious chip kick by Daly Cherry-Evans inside his own half, fellow playmaker Luke Brooks exposed the opposition defence with a pass that allowed Tom Trbojevic (9th minute) to cross for his 13th try in 11 games against the Raiders.

Taking the score into double digits after Tommy Talau (17th minute) swooped on a wayward pass and raced 50 metres untouched, a moment of magic from Cherry-Evans (21st minute) saw the veteran halfback strike on his own kick when Ethan Strange failed to ground the ball in-goal.

The home side took advantage of Albert Hopoate being sent to the sin bin following multiple Canberra infringement with Reuben Garrick (27th minute) touching down to put the Sea Eagles up 20-0 inside the opening half hour.

The Raiders managed to avoid a first half shut-out when Elliott Whitehead produced a flick pass, allowing Kaeo Weekes (31st minute) to score his first try in green against his former club.

A try early in the second half to Garrick (49th minute) provided fleeting joy for the home side, as an error from the kick-off gave the Raiders the field position needed for Whitehead (53rd minute) to respond with a barge-over effort.

The Raiders continued to grow in confidence and narrowed the margin to a converted try after an error from Corey Waddell saw Whitehead (58th minute) collect his second of the night.

In a moment of ecstasy and agony for Weekes, the rookie halfback produced a spectacular kick for Nick Cotric (67th minute) to score in the corner only to miss a crucial sideline conversion.

The Sea Eagles looked to put an end to the comeback through Jason Saab, only for the bunker to rule the ball had come into contact with Garrick during a contest in the air. 

Trailing by two points heading into the final ten minutes, a well-placed bomb from Strange gave the Raiders a repeat set which was promptly capitalised upon with the young five-eighth threading a beautiful grubber for Hudson Young (76th minute) to put the visitors ahead for the first time in the match.

Cherry-Evans tried to send the game to golden point with an attempt at a two-point field goal, but the Sea Eagles were left to rue a game that got away as the Raiders held on for a memorable win on the road.

Next week, the Sea Eagles will face the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night, while the Raiders will have the bye ahead of Magic Round.