The last time these two sides met the NYC Raiders were stunned by a rampant second half display from the Tigers going down 46-16. This time around the Raiders were up for the contest and have pulled off a stunning come from behind win taking down the Tigers 28-24 this afternoon.
Jack Williams was superb for the home side in a man of the match performance scoring two tries and making constant metres. Matthew Frawley was sublime again showing off his silky moves all game.
An honourable mention must go to Lachlan Hurst who scored the match winning try and took himself to equal first on the NYC try scoring list after bagging his 25th try for the year.
The Tigers were keen to use the same method from the last time the two sides met with Te Amaire Martin going to the sky early with a high ball. Jono Kent came into the game with a good vain of form and was able to take a spectacular catch under pressure.
Martin was the danger man the last time the two sides met and he set up the first try for the game when he found back rower Lamar Liolevave running through a hole although Andrew Heffernan nearly forced an error from the big man on his way to the line.
Eli Levido hit the posts with his conversion with the Tigers taking a 4-0 lead after nine minutes.
They then extended their lead moments later with Jeremy Marshall-King being on the end of a break away. Thoren Fidow-Kele was unable to run down the fullback who scored under the posts. Levido added the extras to take the lead to 10 after 14 minutes.
Jules Webley then came from the field after re-injuring his ankle which brought the enforcer Mitchell Barnett back onto the field on his return to the side.
Heffernan was able to get the Raiders a repeat set at the line after a clever grubber forcing the error. Jack Williams continued his good run of form when he was on the end of a perfect Matthew Frawley pass slicing over to score. Patrick Mago converted to bring the Tigers lead back to 10-6 halfway through the first half.
It brought the boys to life and they managed to score off the back of a strong Luke Bateman break. Jack Creith was on the inside of Lachlan Hurst on the next play to bring scores level. Mago’s conversion was successful to give the boys their first lead of the game 12-10 after 26 minutes.
Lachlan Lewis then powered over from short range to extend the lead to six. Mago converted the try to take the lead to 18-10 with 11 minutes to go in the first half.
A double from John Tohi then brought the scores level before half time, Levido managed to convert the second try which handed the Tigers a two point 20-18 lead right on half time. It was a high quality first half with the young Raiders right in the contest.
The second half started as a titanic arm wrestle with neither side giving the other an inch. The Tigers had some good chances early but were unable to put any points on the Raiders and it looked like Jordan Aiono-Fatu was going to score but the pass was ruled forward.
The visitors then got some luck with Tohi making a break from a blatant forward pass, and with the Raiders struggling to get back Martin found John Ogden via a cut-out ball posting the first points of the second half.
Levido then missed the conversion to give the Tigers a 24-18 lead with 20 minutes to go in the game.
Cleveland McGhie was able to get the Raiders going on the front foot in unusual circumstances, he dropped the ball backwards before stepping three Tigers players and making 30 metres.
Frawley made the most of the good start to the set when he found a hole in the defence before sending Williams over under the post for his second try of the game. Mago levelled the scores at 24 all when he converted with 11 minutes to go.
Prolific try scorer Hurst then added to his amazing tally for the year scoring his 25th for the year when he put the Raiders in the lead in the 72nd minute. Mago missed his first conversion of the day from the sideline with the Raiders taking a 28-24 lead with just over six and half minutes to go.
It was a nervous next few minutes for the boys with Lewis missing a field goal attempt from five out before Mago had an offload intercepted. Some willing defence late saw the Raiders hold on to produce a stunning upset.
In a willing game where both sides were up for the contest. Frawley was sublime in attack finding holes sometimes at will and setting up a number of points for the boys. Williams was another superb contributor and he earned the man of the match performance with a double and constant hard work in defence.
The boys will look to finish the year off in style with another big scalp as they face the Parramatta Eels back at home next Saturday.
Canberra Raiders 28
Tries: Williams 2, Creith, Lewis, Hurst; Mago 4 goals
Wests Tigers 24
Tries: Tohi 2, Liolevave, Marshall-King, Ogden; Levido 2 Goals
