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Canberra Raiders v Penrith Panthers

An intercept by Matthew Timoko which lead to a runaway try for Xavier Savage gave the Raiders the lead late in their match against the Penrith Panthers, and ultimately the win.

The Raiders scored first after just 5 minutes when Savage caught a bomb by Jamal Fogarty near the right sideline, spun out of a tackle and then sprinted 20 metres down the sideline and reached out to score a brilliant try. Fogarty failed to convert in the blustery conditions from out wide.

Penrith responded 5 minutes later when Luke Sommerton barged over from dummy half to score. Dylan Edwards converted.

The next 10 minutes saw both sides concede a barrage of penalties. In the 20th minute Daine  Laurie got put into space and he dived for the corner but his foot just touched the sideline in the tackle from Sebastian Kris just before he grounded the ball.

Raiders then travelled to the other end of the field courtesy of a set restart. Kaeo Weekes then scored when he backed up on the inside and strolled in to score. Fogarty converted.

Penrith hit back in the 25th minute when a Brad Schneider floated long ball finds Laurie and this time he scored the four pointer in the corner. Edwards failed to convert from out wide.

Five minutes later and James Fisher-Harris followed a Jerome Luai grubber into the Raiders in-goal and very nearly scored. The bunker was called to adjudicate and they found that Fisher-Harris was hit high by Jordan Rapana in the contest for the ball, earning the Panthers a penalty. Edwards kicked a penalty goal to give the Panthers a 2 point lead at half time.

Five minutes after play resumed, Penrith extended their lead when Issah Yeo made a good run followed by a stellar pass inside to Fisher-Harris in support, who did well to catch the low pass before racing 25 metres to score under the posts. Edwards converted.

As play reached the hour mark, Canberra got themselves back into the contest when Kris made a break down the left sideline before turning it inside to Albert Hopoate, who raced 30 metres to score. Fogarty converted from in front.

11 minutes later with Penrith camped right on the Raiders line, Matthew Timoko made a clean intercept, ran 45 metres upfield before linking with Savage who sailed home over the final 45 metres to score a stunning try against the run of play. Fogarty converted to give the Raiders the lead and they held on valiantly to score the much needed victory.