Harold Matthews (Under 16s)
Canberra Raiders 42 defeated Western Suburbs Magpies 12 at Raiders Belconnen
A hat-trick by fullback Nic Cotric has guided the Raiders to a resounding 42-12 over the previously undefeated Western Suburbs Magpies.
After winning their first three matches of the year, this match was billed by Coach Adam Kyle as the side’s biggest test to date.
Judging by the 30 point victory, it seems that his talented young side has passed with flying colours.
“We are proud of how the side matched up to such a strong team,” Kyle said. “Wests’ results have been great so far this season and the boys really stood up against a much bigger pack and a very good set of halves.
“Our middle unit boys really played well on the weekend. They got our side going forward with the ball and worked hard for each other in defence.”
In front of a strong home crowd, the Raiders scored early on in the match and went onto lead 14-6 at the break.
With the forward pack working hard and laying a dominant platform for the side’s smart halves the Green Machine blew the visitors off the park in the second stanza.
Cotric in particular was outstanding.
On the back of the stellar support of his team mates, the Australian Under 15s fullback was able to portray his devastating running game to great effect and finished with three scything tries.
It is the second week in a row that Cotric has finished with a hat-trick of tries and the Tuggeranong junior was thrilled to do so this week in what was the Raiders first home game of the year.
“It was great to get a win in our first home game of the season,” Kyle said. “What was even better was seeing loads of the player’s family and friends come and watch. The atmosphere was great, and we want to see everyone come back this week.”
Canberra will need all the support they can get this week as they take on reigning premiers the Parramatta Eels.
“Despite our best completion rate of the year we still need to work on our knowledge of the game, when to play and when not to play,” Kyle said. “As a group it’s something that we are learning and trying to improve.
“Parramatta are a fantastic team and are the current Harold Matthews champions from 2013 so we know that we need to turn up for a hard week of training and prepare for the hardest game of the season.”
Canberra 42 (Nikola Cotric 3, Jedidiah Simbiken 2, Mathew Lyons, Jake Notaras, Bailey Simonsson tries; Bailey Simonsson 5 goals) def. Western Suburbs 12 (Opeti Kavapalu, Justice Utatao tries; Hosea Leuea 2 goals)
SG Ball (Under 18s)
Canberra Raiders drew 34 all with Western Suburbs Magpies at Raiders Belconnen
The Raiders have retained their position in the top eight following a hard-fought 34 all draw with Western Suburbs Magpies on Saturday.
The Magpies were sitting in seventh position leading into the clash with the match presenting a prime opportunity for the Raiders to leapfrog Western Suburbs and multiple other teams with a victory on the weekend.
Unfortunately, despite a promising display form the team, Canberra was unable to close out the match and capitalise on their strong form.
Canberra were best served in this fixture by back-rower Kalani Going who finished with two tries and five-eighth Lachlan Croker who compiled 14 points from one try and five goals.
Canberra 34 (Kalani Going 2, Sione Afemui, Lachlan Crocker, Ben Maguire, Tre Williams tries; Lachlan Crocker 5 goals) drew. Western Suburbs 34 (Jett Karam, Veiru Mapesone, Mark McCormack, Christian Tulua, Christopher Ve’e, Ututau Wright tries; Mason Cerruto 5 goals)
