NSW Cup Match Report: Raiders suffer Mounties defeat

The Mounties have defeated the Canberra Raiders 34-10 in a huge win at GIO Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The experience of Mounties captain Lachlan Lewis proved the difference through his kicking and game management. The visitors were able to stay in control from start to finish.

Mounties struck first through fullback Declan Casey who crossed the line off-the-back-of a linebreak from winger Watson Heleta. This gave the visitors a 4-0 lead in the opening 5 minutes.

Mounties centre Falakiko Manu finished off a great Mounties backline play to continue the momentum for the Mounties. Aaron Schoupp converted to increase the lead to 10-0.

Lock-forward Chris Smith crashed over for the Mounties under the posts to further extend the lead to 16-0 in the opening 15 minutes.

Mounties hooker Bradley Deitz darted from dummy-half to break the Raiders line of defence. Deitz drew the fullback and passed to teammate Declan Casey who then passed back to the hooker to finish off his own try. The conversion was successful, giving the Mounties a 22-0 lead.

The Canberra Raiders crossed the line for the first time of the afternoon through winger Semi Valemei, finishing off a great offload from Corey Horsburgh. That took the score to 22-4 with 15 minutes remaining in the first half.

Mounties captain Lachlan Lewis bounced off a few tackles to dive under the posts for a try before halftime. This gave the Mounties a 28-4 lead heading into halftime.

The Raiders were the first to open the scoring of the second half through backrower Kai O’Donnell who ran a great line to cross for a try. The Raiders trail 28-10 to the Mounties.

Canberra centre Harley Smith-Shields left the field in the opening minutes of the second half with a suspected torn bicep.

Mounties five-eighth Lachlan Lewis put his left backrower Matt Doorey over for a four-pointer to extend the visitor’s lead to 34-10 heading into the final 20 minutes of the match.

The Mounties controlled the final passage of play to come out on top of the Raiders winning 34-10.

Mounties 34 (Tries: Casey, Manu, Smith, Deitz, Lewis Doorey; Goals: Schoupp 5) d Canberra Raiders 10 (Tries:Valemei, O’Donnell; Goals: Williams 1)