Round 13
Parramatta Eels 16 l. Canberra Raiders 28

2008 Toyota National Youth Competition Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > Second Grade Competition: Toyota National Youth Competition

Eels fall to Raiders in Toyota Cup
Mon June 9, 2008
Source: www.parraeels.com.au

The Pirtek Parramatta Eels slumped to another Toyota Cup defeat, going down 28 points to 16 to a red hot Canberra Raiders outfit.

The Raiders continued their impressive run of form on the road to turn an early deficit into a comfortable 12 point victory.

After drawing first blood courtesy of a converted try to prop Joe Mataele, the Eels could only sit and watch as the Raiders leveled it up through one of their own to winger Drury Low.

From there the majority of the first half was played inside the respective 20-metre zones, with both teams unable to capitalise on a number of clear chances.

That all changed six minutes out from half time, when the Raiders exploited a narrow gap down the blindside to hand Low a straight run to the line for his second try of the night.

Five Eighth Michael Picker was deadly accurate with his second kick of the night, sending the Raiders into the break ahead 12-6.

The second half started disasterously for the Eels and would soon get worse, the Raiders scoring twice down the left hand side to race away to a 22-6 lead.

The first try of the half went the way of winger Steve Naughton, who beat the defence to score an unconverted try in the corner.

The second went the way of centre Justin Carney, who turned a half chance into a 40 metre try using only his sheer pace.

Picker again converted from the sideline for a 16 point buffer with half an hour left to play.

Six more points through a Shaun Fensom try put the result beyond doubt for the visitors, however the Eels staged a late rally to at least install a bit of respectability into the final score.

Attacking from any opportunity Eels winger Nathan Gardner - in his Toyota Cup debut - scored twice, with Mase Laulu Togagae converting the final try to see the match finish at 28-16.

CANBERRA RAIDERS 28
Tries: Drury Low 2, Steve Naughton, Justin Carney, Shaun Fensom
Goals: Michael Picker 4/5

PIRTEK PARRAMATTA EELS 16
Tries: Nathan Gardner 2, Joe Mataele
Goals: Mase Laulu Togagae 2/3

At Parramatta Stadium

Referee: Gavin West

News Source: www.parraeels.com.au

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