Match Report: NRL Round 26 vs Raiders

Trailing by just two at half-time, the visitors were brave throughout the majority of the contest, however ultimately fell short against a Canberra side who locked up the minor premiership with the win.

While Canberra had opportunities to score early in the match, Wests Tigers managed to produce two one-on-one steals through Starford To’a and Latu Fainu to thwart them.

The Raiders did ultimately go on to post first points when Sunia Turuva couldn’t handle a Jamal Fogarty bomb in the 18th minute, leading to Jed Stuart pouncing on the kick to score.

The visitors hit back just eight minutes later though, as Jarome Luai put Samuela Fainu through a hole, with the big back-rower sending Jahream Bula over under the posts to lock scores up at 6-6.

Corey Horsburgh went on to reestablish the Canberra lead shortly after when the big middle forward crashed through, however, the Tigers just would not go away.

Luai continued his strong afternoon when his exquisite stepping move helped Tony Sukkar set up Jeral Skelton for a second Wests Tigers try.

The scoreline read 12-10 to the home side at half-time, and they extended their lead through Simi Sasagi in the 46th minute.

From there, despite a lack of point-scoring for almost the entirety of the remainder of the half, Wests Tigers were brave defensively throughout, holding out the Raiders time-and-time again.

They went desperately close to scoring through Fonua Pole after 55 minutes to get back into the match, however the front-rower lost the ball short of the line.

Ethan Strange managed to grab a late four-pointer for the Raiders, with Jamal Fogarty’s conversion taking the final scoreline out to 24-10 at GIO Stadium.

Raiders 24 (Stuart, Horsburgh, Sasagi, Strange tries; Fogarty 4/4 goals) defeated Wests Tigers 10 (Bula, Skelton tries; Koroisau 1/2 goals) at GIO Stadium.