Wests Tigers NYC side have been run down by a fast-finishing Canberra Raiders side in their Round 7 clash at Leichhardt Oval — going down 40-32 on the day.
Despite Wests Tigers dominating the match early, it was Canberra who crossed for first points in the 19th minute through winger Cameron Booth. After originally ruling no try following a great try-saving attempt from Jeremy Marshall-King, the decision was overturned via a successful Captains Challenge and the Raiders had a 4-0 lead.
Jordyn Ballard was unable to convert from out wide and the score remained 4-0.
Wests Tigers soon hit back, with livewire hooker Jacob Liddle darting across field well before linking up with captain Matthew Woods, who crashed over next to the posts.
Woods then converted his own try to give his side a 6-4 lead after 23 minutes.
Kimmorley’s side extended their lead shortly after through Tom Satterthwaite, with the winger diving over in the corner in his first game back from injury after 29 minutes.
A successful sideline conversion from Woods pushed the lead to 12-4.
However, the Raiders quickly hit back before the break, with Jordan Aiono reacting quickest in the in-goal to dive on a deflected grubber after 36 minutes. Woods did challenge the call via a Captains Challenge, but the decision was upheld.
Ballard again missed his conversion and the score remained 12-8.
It appeared it would remain that way heading into the half-time break, but with Marshall-King’s kickoff flying out on the full, the Raiders would have one final chance to level the match, which they did through Brenko Lee right on the stroke of half-time.
A failed conversion from Ballard saw the score locked at 12-12 at half-time.
As the crowd continued to build at Leichhardt Oval, Obed Karwhin put the hosts back in front in the 51st minute as a deflected ball from Veiru Mapesone’s cross-field kick found the winger, who burst through three tackles to score next to the posts.
The Raiders would hit back shortly after, though, with Taniela Moa crashing over out wide following an error by Wests Tigers off the ensuing kickoff.
Ballard’s fourth missed conversion saw the score locked at 16-16 after 53 minutes.
The back-and-forth match continued in the 56th minute as Marshall-King split the Raiders’ defence open with a good run around the left. The fullback then linked up with Karwhin, who raced around to score under the posts for his second try of the day.
A successful kick from Woods saw Wests Tigers lead 22-16 after 57 minutes.
Jacob Liddle would bring the crowd to life with a wonderful solo effort in the 63rd minute that saw him dart from dummy half, round the fullback and score under the posts, but quick responses by the Raiders through Morgan Boyle and Charlie Mackenzie saw the score again locked up at 28-28 with 10 minutes remaining.
It would be the Raiders that finished the stronger of the two, though, with second tries to both Booth and Lee in the final 10 minutes giving the visitors an insurmountable lead.
Karwhin would get his second hat-trick in four weeks with a consolation try on the siren, but it would be all in vain for Kimmorley’s side as the Raiders held firm to emerge with a come-from-behind eight point win on the day at Leichhardt Oval.
Wests Tigers will look to bounce back next Friday night when they take on the Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium, a side they have already beaten in 2015.
NYC FULL TIME — Canberra Raiders 40 (Booth 2, Lee 2, Aiono, Moa, Boyle, Mackenzie tries; Ballard 1/5 goals, Woolford 3/3 goals) def. Wests Tigers 32 (Karwhin 3, Woods, Satterthwaite, Liddle; Woods 4/5 goals, Marshall-King 0/1 goals).
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Post-Match Reaction: Brett Kimmorley
NYC Coach Brett Kimmorley spoke after his side's 40-32 defeat on Sunday afternoon, saying that his side still have plenty of work to do, particularly on the defensive front.
