The Canberra Raiders remain undefeated at home, defeating the Parramatta Eels 28-22 at GIO Stadium Canberra to make it four wins in a row.
In the opening set of the game, the Raiders forward pack gained some valuable field position, putting the Eels on the backfoot early.
Ashleigh Quilan orchestrated the early breakthrough for the Green Machine, initiating a silky left side play for winger Madison Bartlett to score in the corner in the first minute of the match.
Zahara Temara proved her worth behind the tee, converting from the sideline to give the Raiders a 6-0 lead.
The Raiders continued to apply pressure to Parramatta, with some strong runs forcing back-to-back set restarts which put a toll on the Eels defence.
The Raiders took advantage of this, with prop Sophie Holyman crashing through the opposition defence to score under the sticks in the eighth minute. Temara comfortably converted from in front to make it 12-0.
In the 18th minute the visitors looked to threaten the Raiders try line, but it was winger Shakiah Tungai who put a stop to the attack, making a try saving tackle to hold the ball up in the in-goal.
Just minutes later the Raiders marched down the field once again as they looked to further their lead.
Temara placed a well weighted kick down the right side where Tungai added an extra touch, getting boot-to-ball which saw the ball spill out the back of play for centre Alanna Dummett score in the 20th minute.
Temara made it three from three behind the tee, setting the Raiders lead to 18-0.
In the 25th minute Eels lock Tyla Amiatu attempted to force her way through the Raiders defence, but Dummett made a valiant effort, putting her body on the line and stripping the ball in the in-goal.
Dummett was tackled inside the in-goal, forcing a Raiders line dropout which saw the Eels attack once more before halftime.
Parramatta were awarded back-to-back set restarts, which saw them score in the 28th minute through Amelia Mafi. Rachael Pearson converted to make it 18-6 at the break.
The Eels came out of the sheds firing, scoring first after the break off the back of a kick from Pearson, with centre Kimberley Hunt winning the aerial battle to score.
Pearson successfully converted to reduce the Raiders lead to 18-12 in the 39th minute.
The Green Machine replied in the 46th with Tungai scoring thanks to a line break from fullback Apii Nicholls down the right edge to assist the try.
Temara was unsuccessful in converting from the sideline, leaving the score settled at 22-12.
The visitors did not let the Raiders breathe for long, with fullback Abbi Church scoring in the 50th minute. Pearson converted to make it 22-18.
The next play of the match saw the Raiders regained possession off the kick-off, with the home side looking to capitalise on this error by the Eels.
The hosts put their foot down and attacked the Parramatta goal line relentlessly, seeing Cheyelle Robins-Reti score in the 53rd minute. Temara was successful in converting, making it 28-18.
It was an end-to-end battle, with the Eels quickly clapping back with centre Cassey Tohi-Hiku scoring in the 57th minute. Pearson missed the conversion from the sideline to keep the scoreboard reading 28-22.
The Raiders rallied together and tightened their defence to put a stop to the Eels attack, which saw the hosts remain undefeated at home, defeating Parramatta 28-22 to make it four wins in a row.
