Canberra Raiders hosted the Gold Coast Titans at GIO Stadium to open Super Saturday in round 18.
Result
Canberra Raiders 26
Tries: Albert Hopoate 1st; Sebastian Kris 16th; Matt Timoko 49th; Hudson Young 73rd
Goals: Jarrod Croker 3rd, 17th, 51st, 74th, 77th
Gold Coast Titans 22
Tries: David Fifita 22nd; Jojo Fifita 42nd; Alofiana Khan-Pereira 62nd; Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 79th
Goals: Tanah Boyd 24th, 64th, 79th
Report
It was a game of controversy and talking points at GIO Stadium where the Raiders edged out the Titans 26-22.
There was a crucial moment on half-time with the Raiders ahead 12-6 where David Fifita was denied his second try after the Bunker adjudicated that he pushed Jamal Fogarty in the back in chasing the ball.
But the Titans wouldn’t be perturbed after the break as they wasted little time reducing the margin to two points with AJ Brimson’s cut-out pass to Jojo Fifita resulting in a score.
Another contentious decision went the Raiders way in the 49th minute when it looked like the Titans would take the lead as they pressed on the Raiders line. Tanah Boyd’s kick resulted in six again after Corey Horsburgh fumbled in attempting to grab the kick. A few passes later and Alofiana Khan-Pereira was flying for the line but dropped the ball in-goal. Matt Timoko scooped up the ball and ran from his in-goal the length of the field to score. Referee Todd Smith deciding the Titans had taken their advantage from the Horsburgh error.
Again, the Titans fought back after a turnover from Elliott Whitehead was pounced on with Khan-Pereira making up for his missed opportunity earlier to make it 18-16 with eighteen minutes to play.
When Tom Starling sent Hudson Young over with seven to play and Jarrod Croker slotted a penalty goal with three remaining, it looked like the Raiders were home.
However, the Titans weren’t done with and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui kept his team in the contest in scoring near the posts.
A rare scrum penalty against the Raiders for holding the ball in the scrum provided some late drama, however the Titans couldn’t make anything of their final use of the ball.
Fa’asuamaleaui was placed on report in the late stages of the contest and will be sweating on a decision from the Match Review Committee to clear him to play in the Origin dead rubber.
It was the Raiders fourth win in five matches to consolidate their spot in the top eight.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS
Embed from Getty Images3 – Corey Horsburgh (Raiders)
2 – David Fifita (Titans)
1 – Jack Wighton (Raiders)
