The Toyota Forklifts Canberra Raiders have secured a 28-12 victory over the Titans, continuing their dominant run over the club with seven straight wins in the matchup.
The Canberra Raiders entered Saturday afternoon’s clash with the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium chasing a seventh straight win in the matchup. Due to a heavy injury toll players such as Chevy Stewart have been provided an opportunity to step up into the first grade. Meanwhile, the Titans were fresh off a bye with key players AJ Brimson and Chris Randall returning to action.
The Titans kicked off the action at 3pm, with Corey Horsburgh taking the opening carry. Early errors from the Titans continued to hand the Raiders prime field position. The opportunity was not wasted, with Ethan Sanders spotting an opening and linking up with Simi Sasagi, who sliced through the defensive line to score the first try of the match. Sanders converted the try and gave the Raiders an early 6-0 lead.
Matthew Timoko followed up with a line break in his own half, putting the Raiders within 20 metres of the try line. A clean offload from Kaeo Weekes gave Sasagi a second opportunity to weave through the Titans defenders and score his second try. It was another successful conversion from Sanders.
Further errors from the Titans kept the Raiders in possession. Weekes was back with another line break on the right, sprinting down the field and taking the next try for himself. Sanders missed the conversion, leaving the Raiders 16 points in front.
Following back-to-back penalties against the Raiders in their own half, the Titans would strike. After holding up a certain try to Moeaki Fotuaika, Canberra were overcome by the Titans momentum, who sent the ball down the line to Phillip Sami for a try in the corner. Jayden Campbell converted the try to make it 16-6.
The Raiders had a final opportunity to score on halftime but scrambling defence from the Titans held them off with a 10-point lead going into the break.
The Raiders kicked off the second half action, with both sides putting up fierce attack and strong defensive sets. Early in the half, Sanders saw a gap and slipped straight through to score, but an obstruction prevented the Raiders from collecting the four points.
The Raiders were determined not to lose the momentum, forcing an error that gifted them a position in the Titans half. An expert offload from Joseph Tapine created an opportunity for the ball to travel down the line into Savelio Tamale’s hands to score a try in the corner. Sanders sent the ball straight through the posts, and the Raiders were underway with the first points of the second half.
Canberra battled to hold their lead, with two penalties to the Titans building frustration and intensity on both sides. Campbell saved a poor pass with a grubber through the line for Jojo Fifita to scoop up and ground. Campbell converted their second try of the game to make it 22-12.
With under ten minutes left, both sides scrambled to gain the final points. The Raiders were held up over the line twice, before backing it up on the opposite end of the field to save a Titans try.
Sebastian Kris decided the Green Machine wasn’t finished yet, intercepting the ball and sprinting half the length of the field to score a final try at the 80-minute mark. Sanders topped it off with a successful kick from the sideline, and the Raiders celebrated a 28-12 win over the Titans.
The Raiders will be full of pride as they head back home next week in a clash against the Penrith Panthers on Sunday afternoon.
