The Canberra Raiders NYC side have come from 12-0 behind this afternoon to defeat the Bulldogs 24-18 at Belmore Sports Ground.
The young pups got out to a 12-nil lead but that was closed and the Raiders ended up taking the two points back to the nation’s capital after the four tries to three victory.
There were numerous changes to the Bulldogs side with the most notable being the inclusion of Adam Keighran who had recovered from a shoulder injury suffered in the trial. Hooker Connor Jones was also out with Joseph Tramontana named to take part in his first match of the season. Skipper Darcy Maroske missed the match with Lachlan Lee coming into the starting side.
The opening exchanges went all the Bulldogs way with two tries being scored in the opening 10 minutes. Winger Marcelo Montoya opened the scoring off the back of a shift to the left and a leap into score put the Bulldogs in front. Zac Greene converted with the scoreboard reading 6-nil.
In the eighth minute the second try was scored with prop forward Peter Tiatia running a great line and going in under the posts. Greene easily converted and the score was quickly 12-nil.
Ten minutes later the visitors opened their account with prop forward Daniel Dole scoring in similar fashion to the last Bulldogs try. Hooker Zac Woolford converted to close the gap to 12-6.
The 28th minute saw scored all level with fullback Thomas Cronan scoring and Woolford converting and that’s how it stayed through until the half-time break.
Four minutes after the restart the Raiders put themselves in the lead for the first time in the match through Tre Williams. It was a shift that put the winger into space and over to score. Woolford brought his kicking boots with him and converted, putting them in front 18-12.
Six minutes later, back rower D’Rhys Miller crashed over to show the match was being played in a very tit-for-tat style. Greene converted with it all level at 18-all.
The deadlock was broken for the third time when Raiders half Zeik Foster burst through to score. Woolford again converted to put the visitors in front 24-18 after 61 minutes.
The remainder of the match was played from end to end but a mixture of errors and penalties cost the side with no further points being scored.
Raiders 24 (Dole, Cronan, Williams, Foster Tries; Woolford 4 Goals)
def.
Bulldogs 18 (Montoya, Tiatia, Miller Tries; Greene 3 Goals)
At: Belmore Sports Ground
