The CFMEU Canberra Raiders have wrapped up their trial game period for the 2010 season, with a 22-12 loss to the Bulldogs in Dubbo on Saturday night.

The Green Machine scored two late tries in the match to show some positive signs ahead of their season opener, after conceding four tries earlier in the match to last years top four finishers.

In front of an 8000 strong crowd in Dubbo the Raiders started the match strongly with some tough defence, before Bulldogs prop Michael Hodgson opened the scoring for Canterbury. Michael Ennis added the extras and it was 6-0.

In a solid first half both sides used the trial conditions to test out different combinations in both attack and defence and it seemed as if the score would remain the same, until the Bulldogs scored late in the half off the back of a Brett Kimmorley kick to Josh Morris. Once again Ennis added the extras and it was 12-0 at the break.

The Raiders had a less than ideal start to the second half as they conceded two more tries off the back of some costly errors, but fought back late in the match to get themselves back into the contest with tries to Trevor Thurling and Marc Herbert.

In the end time was against the Raiders and the Bulldogs ran out winners 22-12.

Raider’s forward Tom Learoyd-Lahrs was injured during the contest and will undergo scans this week to determine the extent of a knee injury.

In a positive note for the Raiders they managed to secure 41 memberships via membership stalls at the ground, with plenty of support for the Raiders coming through the turnstiles at Apex Oval.