Round 16
Canberra Raiders 24 l. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 36

2008 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Raiders Red Nose Record
Tue July 1, 2008
Source: www.raiders.com.au

The CFMEU Canberra Raiders in conjunction with Canberra Stadium, SIDS and Kids ACT and Ocean & Earth have hopefully set a new Guinness world record. The attempt for the most people wearing Red Noses at last nights match between the Raiders and the Sharks was a huge success.

Despite blustery conditions at Canberra Stadium over 5000 people purchased Red Noses to wear at halftime for the record attempt, and the crowd got right behind the cause when the Ocean & Earth Red Nose Chopper flew into the Stadium at half time.

In all 5433 noses were sold by SIDS and Kids ACT volunteers for a total donation of $10,551.80, with that money all going towards the charitable cause.

In addition to this the NRL will be donating $4568 to SIDS and Kids ACT, after they pledged 50c for every person who attended last nights match at Canberra Stadium.

In total over $15,000 dollars has been raised for SIDS and Kids ACT, and Chief Executive of the Organisation Karen Faichney said it had been a great exercise in raising money and awareness for a great cause.

"On behalf of SIDS and Kids ACT we would like to thank the Raiders, Canberra Stadium, the CFMEU and Ocean & Earth for their help on making this possible world record attempt happen," Ms Faichney said. "I would also like to thank the brave people who attended last nights game in tough conditions and also the countless volunteers who helped sell all of the noses."

Canberra Raiders CEO Don Furner said he would also like to thank the people who attended the game last night, and for those who purchased a red nose.

"On behalf of the Raiders I would like to thank everyone for coming out to the game on Monday night and getting behind the cause," Furner said. "To have over half the crowd purchase a nose shows the great support the Raiders have."

Furner said the Raiders still have five matches remaining this season, and with the Final Five ticket offer available, it's a great way to get behind the team for the rest of the season.

"We had a good crowd of almost 10,000 last night at Canberra Stadium despite it being a cold wet night," he said. "We have the final five ticket offer available now, and we are encouraging fans to jump on board for the rest of the season and beyond."

News Source: www.raiders.com.au


Kimmorley inspires Sharks to victory in 250th appearance
Tue July 1, 2008
Source: www.sharks.com.au

The Sharks have jumped back up to equal first place on the NRL ladder with a convincing 36-24 victory over the Canberra Raiders.

On a bitterly cold night in the national capital, the Sharks responded after falling behind by 12-0 in the early stages, scoring six spectacular tries in what was perhaps their best attacking performance of the 2008 season.

Fittingly, in a game which marked his 250th game in the NRL, Sharks captain on the night Brett Kimmorley led from the front in a brilliant effort.

Kimmorley had a hand in most of the Sharks attacking raids on the night and was directly responsible for setting up at least two of the Sharks six tries.

"It was a special night for me," Kimmorley said. "They presented me with this jersey (embroidered with words signifying his 250th game) last night and then Ricky asked the boys to go out and win this one for me. It was great for them to say that and then go out and do it.

"The forwards were great, not just in defence but in attack as well. They gave Buster (Brett Seymour) and myself a really good platform to play some footy."

While Kimmorley was a popular choice as man-of-the-match, he had a number of able helpers on the night, with the forwards, led by Ben Ross, Luke Douglas and Isaac De Gois outstanding, enabling Kimmorley and his halves partner Brett Seymour to stand out and weave his magic.

It was a complete performance from a Sharks team which their coach beleives still has some improving to do before they can lay claim to challenging the best teams in the competition.

"We're not there yet," was Stuart's short response to whether the Sharks were the equal of teams such as Manly, the Roosters and Storm. "We have Manly next and a tough for or five weeks ahead of us."

With rain from earlier in the evening abating, the first try scoring opportunity of the night came the way of the Raiders, with Todd Carney slicing through the middle of the Sharks defensive line. The halfback kicked when confronted by the cover however Mitch Brown won the race to the football to defuse the situation.

On the back of that Raiders enterprising play the Sharks were forced to defend three sets of six tackles on their own line, with the pressure finally telling, with Carney going over after a clever off-load. The number seven added the extras and the Raiders led 6-0 after 10 minutes.

With their tails up the Raiders continued to attack and again they were rewarded, this time it would be former Sharks junior Bronx Goodwin going over inches from the touch line. Carney's kick was picture perfect into the cold breeze and the Raiders led 12-0.

A Carney 40-20 put the Sharks under pressure once again with the bounce of the ball and field position all going the way of the Raiders. On this occasion the Sharks were able to hold firm but not without some anxious moments.

After a couple of penalties went their way the Sharks went onto the attack and with a well worked back line movement Fraser Anderson threw a clever cut-out pass for Luke Covell to dive over in the corner. Covell kicked the goal from the sideline and the Sharks were back in business at 12-6 behind.

Then came a pivotal moment in the first 40 minutes when a Sharks gang-tackle on Raiders winger Justin Carney after a deep Brett Kimmorley kick saw the ball jolt loose, hooker De Gois strolling over for a try under the uprights. Covell again converted and the scores were locked up at 12-all.

Gaining in confidence the Sharks kept the pressure on and after Brown was denied a try by a matter of centimetres, a charge down of a Carney clearing kick, brilliantly scooped up by David Simmons, saw the Sharks go on the attack once more.

Exploiting a percieved defensive weakness down the Canberra's right-side the Sharks worked another set move down that edge of the field and it was Ben Ross crashing over to notch his first try of the season. With the successful conversion the Sharks had their first lead at 18-12 in front.

The Sharks had a few chances to extend their advantage but the score would remain the same going into the break.

The second half began in similar fashion to the first, with the Raiders coming out of the sheds with plenty of energy, seeing the Sharks forced to defend their goal line for repeated sets of six tackles, the only difference with the first half being the Sharks held their opponents scoreless.

In fact it would be the Sharks to score next with a spectacular try, made all the better considering the abysmal conditions.

After an interchange of passes Seymour broke through the Canberra line, found skipper Kimmorley in support, who then with defenders between him and his closest teammates kicked wide for his outside men, Simmons winning the race to touch down near the uprights.

It was the Raiders however, on the back of a Sharks error, who would fight their way back into the contest, hooker Ryan Hinchcliff scoring a soft try under the posts after scooting from dummy half.

Again the Sharks responded and again Seymour was in the thick of the action. The in-form number six saw Covell outwide and chip kicked for his winger who did marvellously well to leap above his opposite before planting the ball down in the corner. With his kicking boots well and truly back on, Covell slotted the conversion into the wind from touch to give the Sharks a 30-18 lead with around 12 minutes of the match remaining.

If that try didn't seal it for the Sharks the next one certainly did, Kimmorley grubber kicking and regathering, before a brilliant interchange of passing saw Ben Pomeroy barge his way over in the south-eastern corner. Covell kept his perfect record intact with another conversion from a wide angle, giving him a personal haul of 20-points on the night.

Canberra scored a consolation try, by fullback David Milne, to give some respectability to the scoreline, however the the two competition points would be heading back towards the Sutherland Shire with the Sharks.

Now with 24 points through 16 rounds the Sharks see themselves in third place, behind just Manly and the Roosters on for-and-against. They have a bye next week before facing Manly in a potential blockbuster at Toyota Stadium.

Minute by minute scoring
9 mins - Todd Carney try, Carney goal - Raiders 6-0
13 mins - Bronx Goodwin try, Carney goal - Raiders 12-0
20 mins - Luke Covell try, Covell goal - Raiders 12-6
27 mins - Isaac De Gois try, Covell goal - 12-all
30 mins - Ben Ross try, Covell goal - Sharks 18-12
half time
58 mins - David Simmons try, Covell goal - Sharks 24-12
63 mins - Ryann Hinchcliffe try, Carney goal - Sharks 24-18
67 mins - Luke Covell try, Covell goal - Sharks 30-18
71 mins - Ben Pomeroy try, Covell goal - Sharks 36-18
78 mins - David Milne try, Carney goal - Sharks 36-24

SHARKS 36
Luke Covell 2, Isaac De Gois, Ben Ross, David Simmons, Ben Pomeroy tries, Luke Covell 6 goals
Beat the
RAIDERS 24
Todd Carney, Bronx Goodwin, Ryan Hinchcliffe, David Milne tries, Todd Carney 4 goals

Report Source: www.sharks.com.au

Tue June 24, 2008
• Monaghan named for Blues
  

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