A competitive first-half performance saw the Canberra Raiders pull together a late try to take a four-point lead at halftime, but a back-and-forth second half saw Penrith Panthers score a last-minute try to take out a 26-24 win over Canberra.
The Panthers were first to make their mark on the game with second-rower Harrison Hasset on the receiving end of an incredible kick-rebound to put the ball down over the line. Paul Alamoti converted from in front of the posts.
The Raiders finally got their chance to answer back in the 26th minute with a try to their winger Jed Stuart. A lovely cut-out pass to Stuart saw him run and dive over the line with ease. Adam Cook converted successfully from the sideline bringing scores level at 6-6.
With seven minutes to go in the first half, the Panthers were given a penalty which saw Raiders’ Jordan Martin placed on report. The Panthers took the two-point penalty goal advantage to regain the lead.
A step and line break from Nick Cotric saw the Raiders set up good field position leading up to halftime. A few hard runs at the Penrith line saw Canberra put in a short kick to find late inclusion Trey Mooney chasing hard and managing to get the ball down in-goal before going dead. A successful kick from Cook saw the Raiders head into halftime leading 12-8.
The Panthers produced the first points of the second half through a pass to lock Matthew Eisenhuth who crashed his way over the line. Alamoti successfully converted.
The Canberra Raiders forced their way back into the lead with Noah Martin breaking through the Panthers’ defensive line to score under the posts. A successful conversion from Cook took the Raiders back to a four-point lead.
Just three minutes later the Raiders extended their lead through hooker Owen Pattie. A great run from Pattie saw him get the ball down under the posts. Cook converted again from in front (24-14).
An error from the Raiders on the Panthers’ try-line saw Penrith on the attack in close range. It didn’t take long before fullback Isaiah Iongi worked his way over the try-line. Alamoti converted taking the Panthers to just four points behind.
With two minutes left on the clock the Panthers produced a miracle try. Paul Alamoti ran down the sideline and looked certain to be taken out of play by Raiders’ defence but managed to get a sneaky pass away to winger Sunia Turuva, who ran away to score. A crucial kick for Alamoti was successful as he took the Panthers to a 26-24 victory at GIO Stadium.
Talking Points
- Panthers’ Jack Cole was assisted off the field in the fifth minute of the game. He was later seen on the sidelines with crutches and ice wrapped around his right ankle.
- Raiders’ Jordan Martin was placed on report during the first half.
- Raiders’ Peter Taateo was placed on report early in the second half.
Key Moment
It was a tight finish in the nation’s capital with the Penrith Panthers pulling off an incredible try through Sunia Turuva off the back of Paul Alamoti’s efforts. With less then two minutes on the clock, the Raiders executed a successful short kick-off as they charged their way up the field in an attempt to put together a last-ditch try. A pass out to Stuart on the wing saw him fronted by Penrith defenders and tackled as the siren sounded. The Turuva try sealed the deal for the Panthers.
What’s Next?
The Panthers will head back home to BlueBet Stadium to host the South Sydney Rabbitohs, while the Raiders head to Wentworth Park to take on the Sydney Roosters in the last round of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup regular season.
Match report courtesy of NSWRL. Written by Tahlie Gavin.
