Harold Matthews (Under 16’s)
The Canberra Raiders have slumped to 10th place on the ladder after being on the end of a 52-6 thrashing by the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground.
The Bulldogs are one of the competition’s true powerhouses having lost just one game all year and sitting in third position on the ladder.
Winger Dorian Yarak and halfback Brandan Wakeham starred for Canterbury with each player registering a hat-trick of tries. Wakeham was particularly impressive and in addition to his three tries, the creative playmaker also slotted six goals for a personal points haul of 24.
Hooker Liam Oakley scored the Raiders’ sole try, and backed this up by converting it.
Canberra are a far better side than what they portrayed on Saturday and will be out to make amends this Thursday at 6:00pm against the Illawarra Steelers at WIN Stadium.
Canterbury Bulldogs 52 (Dorian Yarak 3, Brandan Wakeham 3, Tuipulota Katoa, Nathan Utia, Ben Sapati, Liam Mock tries; Wakeham 6 goals) bt Canberra Raiders 6 (Liam Oakley try; Oakley 1 goal)
SG Ball (Under 18’s)
The Canberra Raiders have retained their standing at second spot on the SG Ball Cup ladder with a dominating 22-point victory against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground.
The first half was a closely fought encounter with the Raiders going into the sheds with an 18-12 lead.
However, the second half was a different story altogether as the Raiders blew the Bulldogs off the park and ran away with victory.
In total, the Raiders registered eight-tries-to-four with five-eighth Bailey Hartwig registering 16 points in the win, from a try and six conversions.
Canberra faces a dangerous Illawarra Steelers outfit next Thursday at 7:30pm at WIN Stadium. The Steelers are coming sixth on the ladder and capable of defeating anyone on their day. Their side features Wendell Sailor’s son Tristan at fullback.
Canberra Raiders 44 (Stanley Takulua, Bailey Hartwig, Lachlan Cooper, Jesse Martin, Jarred Tuite, William Samuel, Kalani Going, Sione Afemui tries; Hartwig 6 goals) bt Canterbury Bulldogs 22 (Jayden Okunbor, Adam Keighran, Will Kerr tries; Kieran Hayman 3 goals)
