The Canberra Raiders Junior Representative sides began their seasons over the weekend with the highlight coming as the S.G. Ball side claimed a massive 64-20 win.
S.G. Ball Cup
Canberra Raiders 64 (Tries: B Robertson 2, N Hall, M Snooks, Jack Williams, T Croker 2, A Gaffey 2, A Mariota, J Colovatti, Jordan Williams; Goals: B Robertson 8) d West Coast Pirates 20 (Tries: D Eistreich, P Fisiihoi, K Namana-Tahare, P Tukaki; Goals: R Tierney 2)
The Raiders Under 18 boys side began their season in style as they travelled to Western Australia to take on the West Coast Pirates.
It didn’t take long for the Raiders to find their mojo as they scored four tries in ten minutes to race to a 22-0 lead.
The Pirates started finding their way to the tryline midway through the first half but the Raiders finished strongly to take a 52-20 lead into the break.
The second half was quiet in comparison as the Raiders added an extra three tries to the scoreline to wrap up a convincing 64-20 win.
Harold Matthews Cup
Manly Sea Eagles 28 (Tries: T Wheen, T Wilson, D O’Donnell, K Vosaicake, O Palin; Goals: T Wilson 4) d Canberra Raiders 22 (Tries: M Stewart 2, J Lole-Ngarima, K Rushton; Goals: T Wheeler)
The Raiders Under 16 boys side narrowly succumbed to last year’s Premiers, Manly, at Raiders Belconnen on Saturday.
In a tentative start to the match, both sides traded penalties before Manly took the lead in the 18th minute.
Matthew Stewart scored shortly afterwards as the Raiders took the lead but Manly managed to take a 12-10 lead at halftime.
The Raiders hit the front with two quick tries which included Stewart’s second of the afternoon.
As the second half wore on, Manly improved as they scored three tries to take a 28-18 lead. Kane Rushton scored in the dying moments for the Raiders but Manly claimed the win.
Tarsha Gale Cup
Parramatta Eels 32 (Tries: S Akhabue, T Raibevu, T Alexander, A Futialo, M Fua, T Raibevu; Goals: A Futialo 3, B E’e) d Canberra Raiders 14 (Tries: G Davis 2, K Osztrenkovics; Goals: K Blackwell)
The Raiders Under 18 girls side showed plenty of promise against the Parramatta Eels before succumbing to a 32-14 defeat.
The Eels started quickly as they scored three tries in the opening 20 minutes before Gabbie Davis opened the try scoring for the Raiders.
Davis had her second try of the afternoon five minutes later but the Eels continued their scoring.
Klaudia Osztrenkovics scored right on full time for the Raiders as the game finished 32-14 in favour of the Eels.
