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Raiders NSW Cup side bounce back in big way over Knights

The Canberra Raiders NSW Cup has side secured a 38-24 win over the Newcastle Knights at GIO Stadium, Canberra.

The visitors were the first to cross the line on the day, as fullback Connor Votano fought to plant the ball down in the fifth minute.

Raiders were quick to respond as prop Peter Taateo scooped up an unforced error from the Knights and made a quick break to plant the ball down.

Mitch Henderson successfully added the extras, giving the Raiders a two-point advantage.

Off the back of two consecutive set restarts, Knights skipper Thomas Cant sliced through to score in the left corner, reversing the margin to give the Knights a two-point edge.

Raiders bounced back swiftly as Taateo crossed to score his second try in between the goal posts. Henderson added the extras again, bringing the score to 12-8. 

Four minutes later, Newcastle’s centre Krystian Mapapalangi leaped to score. Cant converted his first of the day, providing the Knights another two-point edge with ten minutes remaining.

Raiders bounced back quickly, capitalising off a Knights knock on as Taateo runs to bag a hat-trick.

Raiders maintain this momentum with back-to-back tries from captain Hohepa Puru and Mitchell Spencer, slicing to score with seconds remaining.

Henderson’s kicking game was on fire as he added the extras to all of Canberra’s first half tries, bringing the score to 30-14 as they head into the sheds.

Newcastle came into the second half hungry to bounce back, snatching early points with tries from front rower Brock Greacen and captain Cant. Cant successfully converted one of the tries, narrowing the margin to 24-30.

Knights fullback Votano was looking dangerously close to scoring his second, but this was ruled no try due to a Knights forward pass.  

Both sides continued to play set for set, struggling to get past each other’s defensive lines until the Raiders picked up the pace, and centre Princeton Esera sliced through to score their final try of the day.

Another successful conversion from Henderson, and a penalty kick in the final seconds extended Canberra’s lead and brought the final score of the day to 38-24.

Raiders will look to carry over this winning momentum as they travel to take on the Panthers next Saturday at BlueBet Stadium, Penrith.

Acknowledgement of Country

Canberra Raiders respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.