The Canberra Raiders have overcome a 22 point deficit to defeat the Gold Coast Titans 24-22 at GIO Stadium on Saturday night and secure their second win of the NRL season.
The Titans were leading the match 22-0 in the 37th minute before a try before halftime gave the Raiders the confidence boost they needed to comeback.
The Raiders created a chance early in the match when the returning Jordan Rapana created space and put halfback Brad Schneider through a gap for the game's first line break in the fifth minute.
However it was the Titans who opened the scoring for the match after a failed one on one strip attempt by the home side gave the Titans a full attacking set on their goal line.
The Titans took advantage after a cut out ball by Brimson put Phillip Sami over the try line in the 13th minute, the conversion attempt was unsuccessful by Toby Sexton giving the Titans a 4-0 lead.
The Raiders were able to create another chance in the 18tth minute after Joseph Tapine made a damaging run close to the Titans goal line but the offload didn't go to hand.
The Titans took advantage of the Raiders missed opportunity and scored their second try of the match after Brian Kelly scored off his own grubber kick, the conversion was successful by Sexton putting the Titans up by 10 points.
The Titans earned themselves a repeat set and a short ball from Toby Sexton put Beau Fermor over for the Titans 3rd try in the 28th minute. Sexton kicked his second conversion of the match and put the Titans up by 16 points.
Another Raiders error and six again nearly proved too overwhelming for the Raiders defence but Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was able to produce a great try saving tackle on Toby Sexton.
However off the back of a penalty and another six again, the Titans captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui crashed over in the 35th minute and extended the Titans lead to 22-0.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad left the field with a HIA in the 37th minute, moving Jordan Rapana to fullback and Velemei to the right wing.
The Raiders would score their first try of the game on half time after a beautiful offload from Elliiot Whitehead and a cut out ball from Rapana put Valemei over in the right corner, the conversion was unsuccessful from Schneider bringing the score to 22-4 In favour of the away side at halftime.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad passed his HIA during the halftime break and returned to the field for the second half.
The positive signs for the home side continued after a Jack Wighton kick and great kick chase would earn the Raiders a repeat set, the green machine capitalised after another Wighton kick set up Timoko to score the Raiders second in the 46th minute.
Brad Schneider kicked his first conversion of the match to bring the score within two converted tries.
The Raiders second half comeback continued after Tom Starling took advantage of a tired Titans defence with a dummy half run, an offload from Starling to Rapana set up Timoko who crossed for his second try of the match in the 50th minute bringing the Raiders to within 8 points.
Sebestian Kris would then come up with an incredible intercept in Titans territory, Kris would then be on the end of a left side play ending with a cut out ball from Schneider to put Kris over in the left corner, the Titans continued to lead 22-18 but all the momentum was with the Raiders.
The Raiders took full advantage of the momentum they created earning a penalty and repeat set of a Wighton grubber kick but the raiders failed to capitalise.
The green machine tied the game in the 74th minute after a beautiful kick from Schneider found Nicoll-Klokstad who was able to ground the ball within centimetres of the dead ball line.
The Raiders took the lead for the first time of the match after Schneider converted to put the Raiders in the lead, 24-22.
The Raiders would hold off the Titans to secure their second win of the season, defeating the Titans 24-22 at home.
