The Raiders have fallen to an agonizing one point loss to the Eels at ANZ Stadium in the NYC match.
A second half sinbinning to Jack Murchie proved the difference, as the Eels used the advantage to work their way back into the game and take the lead through a 78th minute field goal.
The Raiders got off to a flying start when junior Kangaroo Jack Murchie crossed to open the scoring, with the barnstorming backrower powering his way over the line. Andre Niko converted for the early 6-0 lead.
The Eels hit back soon after through John Fonua, as the Eels winger found some space on the left edge to open the scoring for Parramatta. The missed conversion saw the Raiders maintain a two-point lead.
The Raiders increased their lead after 16 minutes when Sebastian Kris scored, after a Crossfield kick was cleverly tapped back by Raiders winger Komiti Tuilagi.
It was then Logan Spaander’s turn to add his name to the scoreboard, as he showed determination and skill to ground a grubbing kick inches from the dead ball line. Niko added the extras for a 16-4 lead after 23 minutes.
The seesawing first half continued as the Eels were the next to score, after some nice lead up through the middle third of the field. Dane Aukafolau took the advantage of the quick play the ball and barged over to score. The Eels missed the conversion and the score remained 16-8 in favour of the Green Machine. Despite some late attacking raids the score remained the same at halftime.
The Eels came out with a point to prove in the second half and scored after three minutes, when Gregory Leleisiuao crossed in the corner to narrow the lead to 16-12.
Harry Van Dartel put the Raiders back into a more comfortable lead as he pounced on an error from the Eels fullback, after a nice kick inside from Jayden Carroll put the Eels custodian in two minds. Nikos conversion put it back out to a 10-point lead at 22-12 after 56minutes.
A mistake by Mikaele Ravalawa gave the Eels a chance soon after and they took advantage, as prop Sean Keppie crashed over to score. The lead was cut to 22-18 after John Fonua converted.
The Eels were handed an advantage in the 62nd minute when Jack Murchie was sent to the sin bin, after he thwarted a certain Eels try by taking an intercept in an off-side position. Murchie’s departure saw the Raiders under more pressure defensively.
The Eels used the man down to their advantage and scored in the corner through John Folau, as they stripped the Raiders of numners on the left-hand side of the field. The Eels missed the conversion and the scoreline was deadlocked at 22-22.
The Raiders had their hearts broken with two minutes left when Eels halfback Troy Dargan slotted the field-goal to seal the come from behind win for the home side.
