The Raiders have unfortunately recorded a disappointing loss against the Melbourne Storm on Saturday afternoon, losing 30-16 in Wagga Wagga.
After scoring the first points of the game it was a tough afternoon for the Raiders, who struggled to capitalise on their chances with errors again plaguing crucial moments.
After a stray Cameron Munster arm collected Brad Schneider high right in front of the uprights, Canberra was able to get off to the perfect start with Schneider himself kicking a sixth minute penalty goal.
Despite some brilliant goal line defence over the first 10 minutes the Storm would score the opening try of the match, as Harry Grant darted from dummy half and went himself to give Melbourne a 4-2 lead in the 15th minute.
Ryan Papenhuyzen made no mistake from next to the posts, converting to extend the lead to four.
After numerous repeat sets Jarome Hughes was finally able to again break the Raiders line, finding a gap under the posts in the 22nd minute.
Yet again Papenhuyzen completed a simple conversion attempt in front of the uprights, extending the away sides lead to 10.
Things soon went from bad to worse for Canberra as Munster broke the line in the following set, running 50 metres before finding Papenhuyzen who crossed for their third try of the match untouched.
He was able to add the extra two off his own try, taking the score to 18-2 in the 22nd minute.
After the Raiders were able to finally get some ball possession the Green Machine capitalised, with quick hands from Jordan Rapana and Corey Harawira-Naera delivering the ball to Semi Valemei.
The centre burst through the tackles of Papenhuyzan and Brandon Smith to plant the ball down, as Schneider made no mistake from the kick reducing the deficit to just 10 in the 33rd minute.
Despite some late chances the Green Machine went into the sheds down 18-8, needing a big second half to turn their fortunes around.
A fast start to the second half for the Raiders unfortunately could not be taken advantage of, as Melbourne went in for their fourth of the game through a bursting run from Justin Olam in the 49th minute.
After a successful kick the score pushed out to 24-8, with Canberra needing to score next to have any chance of another comeback.
Opportunities to do just that over the following 20 minutes fell just short, with errors at crucial times stifling any attacking momentum that they had built.
Nick Cotric was finally able to score Canberra’s second in the 70th minute, collecting the ball from Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to cross over in the corner untouched.
Schneider was able to add the two points, leaving the Raiders down by 10 points with just eight minutes remaining.
Completely against the run of play Hughes was then able to score his second in the 74th minute, ending any chances of a Raiders victory.
Papenhuyzen was able to convert the extra two points, and despite a last minute penalty goal from Schneider the Raiders fell 30-16.
Canberra will be looking to bounce back next weekend when they come up against the North Queensland Cowboys on Thursday at GIO Stadium.
