Campbelltown curse continues
May 23, 2005
WESTS TIGERS 28 (Chris Heighington, Benji Marshall, Robbie Farah, Paul Whatuira 2 tries; Brett Hodgson 4 goals)
Defeated
CANBERRA RAIDERS 16 (Marshall Chalk, Lincoln Withers, Phil Graham tries; Matt Gafa 2 goals)
BY THE CLOCK
2m: Raiders fullback Marshall Chalk spills a kick from Tigers halfback Scott Prince, the Tigers spreading it wide immediately for Chris Heighington to crash over. The video referee rules refs call, and Sean Hampstead awards a try. Tigers 4-0.
8m: Tigers whiz-kid Benji Marshall puts on his trademark left step, standing up Chalk and Raiders centre Adam Mogg for a 40m try. Brett Hodgson converts. Tigers 10-0.
22m: The Tigers make a big bust out wide, hooker Robbie Farah able to take advantage of the field position with a try beside the posts. Hodgson converts. Tigers 16-0.
26m: Chalk is penalised in possession for a play-the-ball infringement. From the next set, Chalk tries to watch a Robbie Farah grubber kick over the deadball line but centre Paul Whatuira gets a hand to it for a try. Hodgson converts. Tigers 22-0.
49m: Michael Hodgson shows good footwork to make a bust through the middle of the ruck. The next play, Matt Gafa throws an inside ball for Chalk, who crashes over with brute strength. Gafa converts. Tigers 22-6.
51m: Canberras little men Lincoln Withers and Alan Tongue combine, Withers touching twice as he finishes off a 55m try. Gafa converts. Tigers 22-12.
57m: Adam Mogg makes a big break, giving the Raiders good field position. A few plays later, Mogg throws the final pass for centre Phil Graham to score out wide. Tigers 22-16.
63m: Brett Hodgson makes a half-break out wide, throwing a great one-handed pass for Whatuiras second try. Tigers 26-16.
74m: Tiger Bryce Gibbs and Raider Ben Cross are sin-binned for a scuffle. The Tigers are awarded the penalty and Hodgson kicks a penalty goal. Tigers 28-16.
WHAT THEY SAID
MATT ELLIOTT RAIDERS COACH
There was some encouraging stuff in the second half, but really when you play with the mentality that was displayed by us across the game, youre going to expect us to make uncharacteristic errors. It was a disappointing day at the office
Coaching staff to players, we need to try to get an understanding of why we didnt show up to play the way we needed to in such an important game for us.
MATT ADAMSON RAIDERS FORWARD
Even in the second half when we got back into the game, blokes were making breaks and turning the ball over. No one turns the ball over on purpose, but you just cant do those things, particularly when youve been under the pump for the first half.
TIM SHEENS TIGERS COACH
They had us on the rack a bit, we had a few injuries and we had a few boys watching the clock, not deliberately, but it just happens. Ive played in those games, coached in plenty of them. You get a good lead and try to do enough to win and hold on, then find yourself stop playing football
They [Canberra] had a belief in themselves because they did [came back] it against Penrith. Im just glad Jason Smith wasnt out there at the time. With that amount of ball, Jason would have put us under the blowtorch.
SCOTT PRINCE TIGERS HALFBACK
I think [the win] is very important. It got us up into the top eight [sic]. We needed to win against the Raiders to get back on track. Were not quite there yet. We need to finish teams off when we get into a position to do that.
WORTH NOTING
* Canberras bench ignited the Raiders. In particular, Josh Miller, Michael Hodgson and Alan Tongue played superbly.
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* The Raiders had three withdrawals in the week leading up to the game Troy Thompson (hamstring), Jason Croker (throat) and Craig Frawley (knee).
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* Raiders five-eighth Jason Smith was taken off in the 26th minute with a medial ligament injury to his right knee. He is expected to miss a month of football.
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* Raiders centre Adam Mogg put on report for a lifting tackle on Liam Fulton in the 45th minute.
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* The Raiders next game is against the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown on Sunday, May 22, at 2.30pm.