Raiders bounce back over Eels in NSW Cup

An instrumental performance from Raiders halfback Adam Cook guided the NSW Cup side, who remain undefeated in season 2024. 

After an even start to the contest, an error from Parramatta fullback Ethyn Martin provided the Raiders with the first set of quality field position for the afternoon. 

The Raiders only needed two tackles to take advantage with a beautiful short side raid orchestrated by Adam Cook, providing a pass for Jed Stuart to go over untouched. 

The early momentum for the Green Machine would continue with Cook laying on a pin point grubber kick which pulled right before the dead ball line for flyer Manaia Waitere who touched down to make it 8-0. 

A strong carry from Noah Martin forced a re-shuffle for the Eels with Dehan Asi leaving the field for a head injury assessment. 

An eyes up quick tap from the replacement Matthew Arthur left the Raiders defence at sixes and sevens. 

Despite some scrambling, the defence would break through a smart pass from Ogden to his front row partner Makatoa bringing the margin to two points. 

Adam Cook’s strong start to the contest would continue through another cut out pass to Jed Stuart who would collect his second of the contest and extend the Raiders lead to 12-6. 

After a frantic first thirty minutes, neither side was able to break down their opponents defence before the half time break. 

An early forty twenty and an Eels error saw the Raiders start the better of the two sides after the half time break. 

This early dominance was taken advantage of by the Raiders through Nick Cotric picking up a loose ball before laying a pass on for Asomua to score in the right hand corner. 

Chevy Stewart and Reece Alderton would find themselves placed on report early in the second half after a trip and hip drop tackle respectively. 

The Raiders ascendancy continued with Adam Cook scoring a well-deserved try after another well worked short side movement, which saw Waitere breaking into the backfield with the halfback following on the inside. 

After kicking the ball out on the full, the Eels would be defending their line once more, however the Raiders attack was proving too strong as Asomua crossed over for his second of the afternoon. 

The Raiders would turn attack into defence through pouncing on a loose ball and a run from fullback Chevy Stewart which brought the crowd to their feet, with Trey Mooney converting the field position with a strong carry to score. 

An uncharacteristic afternoon with the boot saw Adam Cook convert only one of the Raiders seven tries, rounding out the final score 30-6. 

The Canberra Raiders face the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at GIO Stadium next Sunday afternoon.