Raiders overturn 18-point HT deficit to blow Dolphins away

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Canberra Raiders v Dolphins

A 30-0 second half has helped the Canberra Raiders come from 22-10 down at halftime to beat the Dolphins 40-28 at Canberra Stadium. 

The opening ten minutes saw more high tackle controversy when Kodi Nikorima was sent to the sin bin by referee Ashley Klein after advice from the bunker. The Raiders took advantage of the extra man just a minute later though that needed a long look from the bunker to overturn Ashley Klein's no try call for Savelio Tamale to score.

Despite the early try for the Raiders, it was the Dolphins who had the better of the first half as they scored and took the lead when Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scored after a poor defensive read from Jamal Fogarty. The Dolphins then took the same route again as a mismatch in defence sent Herbie Farnworth over in the corner.

A fortunate bunker overturn gave Daniel Saifiti a try that even he looked surprised at being given just shy of the half-hour mark. Canberra were able to hit back when the Green Machine kept the ball alive and Kaeo Weekes came off an Ata Mariota offload.

The Dolphins then added two tries inside the final five minutes of the half with Jamayne Isaako coming from nowhere to chase a Jake Averillo kick before then Averillo himself beat some lazy defence from the Raiders to score. Despite missing the conversion, the Dolphins lead 28-10 at the break.

Signs of what could happen in the second half came straight off the kick-off as the Raiders made 70m in the first play of the half before turning the ball over. The Raiders did ultimately cross the tryline ten minutes later when Zac Hosking went over under the posts.

A string of three tries in ten minutes then put the hosts in front when Ethan Strange, Matty Nicholson and Seb Kris were able to score and after two of the three tries were converted the Raiders had a 32-28 lead.

The Dolphins were their own worse enemy with errors as the Raiders sealed the win in the dying minutes when Jamal Fogarty crossed to seal the win. A conversion and then a penalty goal on halfway from sealed the 40-28 win.

Next week at Magic Round, the Dolphins have a clash against the Roosters on Friday night whilst the Raiders have a tough clash against the Storm on Sunday night.