Round 5
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 14 l. Canberra Raiders 24

2009 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Raiders tough out win over Sharks
Sun April 12, 2009
Source: www.raiders.com.au

The CFMEU Canberra Raiders have gritted out their second win of the season as they held on to defeat a spirited Cronulla Sharks side 24-14 at Toyota Stadium.

Terry Campese pressed his claims at the NSW five-eighth jersey with a polished display, having a hand in two of the Raiders four tries.

The Raiders looked dangerous in the first five minutes as they applied pressure to the Sharks line, with Joe Picker and then Adrian Purtell going close in the opening two attacking sets for the Green Machine.

But it was the Sharks who scored the first try of the match through winger David Simmons after a long pass from their five-eighth Trent Barrett as a mistake in their own quarter gifted the Sharks some possession close to the line.

It was tough going for the Raiders in the opening twenty minutes as the Sharks had the better of the field position, with Brett Seymour and Barrett keeping the Raiders pinned in their own half.

It took some Terry Campese magic to get the game going for the Raiders when a chip and chase kick landed the perfect bounce for himself to set up Jarrod Croker to score out wide. Josh Dugan took the goal kicking responsibilities from Campese and kicked his first NRL attempt from the sideline.

Stuart Flanagan made a mistake from the restart as he dropped the ball with his first touch, but luckily for him the Raiders were able to bundle Simmons over the sideline. The Sharks were on the attack soon after due to a mistake from Troy Thompson, but Justin Carney was able to thwart a Ben Pomeroy kick chase.

A series of late penalties gave the Sharks the chance to convert some points just before halftime and Luke Covell converted to make the score 6-6 at the break.

The Raiders came out strong again in the second half and had a chance to apply some pressure, but another mistake from Troy Thompson turned the ball over giving the Sharks a chance and after back to back penalties Simmons scored his second try of the night.

It didn't take long for the Raiders to hit back through hooker Stuart Flanagan as some ill discipline from Cronulla gave the Raiders some good field position, with the Raiders hooker stealing a try from dummy half close to the line. Campese's conversion gave the Raiders a 12-10 lead.

Mistakes continued to be the biggest enemy for the Raiders as yet another error in their own half gave the Sharks a chance and Simmons scored his hat trick when Trent Barrett presented him with a neat cross-field kick to score.

The Raiders were back in front with fourteen minutes to play when the skipper Alan Tongue crashed over from close range on the last tackle, with Campese converting to extend the lead to 18-14.

It was a nervous return though for the Raiders as they allowed the Sharks to kick the ball dead from the restart and it appeared Simmons scored his fourth try after another Barrett kick, but the decision came back from the video referee and the Raiders were off the hook again.

Cronulla appeared to pull the game from the fire when they went on the attack again with five minutes remaining in the match, but a loose pass from Luke Douglas was scooped up by Alan Tongue who found Terry Campese who raced away to score the winner.

CANBERRA RAIDERS 24 (Jarrod Croker, Stuart Flanagan, Alan Tongue, Terry Campese tries; Terry Campese 2, Josh Dugan 2 goals) defeated CRONULLA SHARKS 14 (David Simmons 3 tries; Luke Covell goal) at Toyota Stadium.


Logan and Shillington to start up front
Tue April 7, 2009
Source: www.raiders.com.au

The CFMEU Canberra Raiders have retained their powerful front row combination of Scott Logan and David Shillington, for the Green Machine's clash against the Cronulla Sharks on Saturday at Toyota Stadium.

Logan was a late inclusion to the Raiders starting side for the match against the Cowboys on Monday night after returning from an ankle injury and his early work up the middle in tandem with David Shillington laid the platform for the rest of the Raiders forwards to get the Green Machine on the front foot.

Speaking at today's rehabilitation session Logan said he had recovered well from his first match in over a month and said his body was feeling ready for the season ahead.

"I've pulled up quite well and my ankle feels good, it's quite fortunate we had a lot of possession in the early parts of the game which made my job a bit easier especially in my first game back," Logan said. "I did plenty of work with Quentin Pongia while I was injured and a lot of cardio stuff and after having the four weeks off having only played the trial I felt quite fresh."

Raiders Coach David Furner said there were a couple of injury concerns ahead of the Sharks match in the form of Nigel Plum (ribs) and Trevor Thurling (ankle) and they would make a decision on those two closer to the match on Saturday.

"We need to have a look at both Plum and Thurling, we're not to sure about the extent of those just yet," Furner said. "If they are unavailable we'll have a look at the guys who've played at Souths Logan and maybe a guy like Shaun Fensom could get a game."

NRL
Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks
Toyota Stadium, Saturday April 11, 5.30pm

1. Josh Dugan
2. Adrian Purtell
3. Jarrod Croker
4. Joel Monaghan
5. Justin Carney
6. Terry Campese
7. Marc Herbert
8. David Shillington
9. Stuart Flanagan
10. Scott Logan
11. Joe Picker
12. Bronson Harrison
13. Alan Tongue [c]

14. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs
15. Trevor Thurling
16. Josh Miller
17. Nigel Plum
18. Shaun Fensom

Coach: David Furner

Toyota Cup
Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks
Toyota Stadium, Saturday April 11, 3.15pm

1. Drury Low
2. Grant Hetherington
3. Matt Ward
4. Daniel Vidot
5. Steve Naughton
6. Travis Waddell [c]
7. Sam Williams
8. Diego Codyre
9. Matt Mcilwrick
10. Todd Rheinberger
11. Jarrad Kennedy
12. Mark Nicholls
13. Sam Mataora

14. Zac Merritt
15. Mitch Kennedy
16. Matt Britt
17. Mark Appleton
18. Todd Grace
19. Tom Sellars

Coach: Andrew McFadden

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