CANBERRA RAIDERS 24 WESTS TIGERS 10
CALLUM WALKER, GIO Stadium, Saturday

CANBERRA wrapped up the minor premiership – their first trophy in 31 years – with a hard-fought win over a stubborn Wests.

The Tigers trailed just 12-10 at half-time, but Benji Marshall’s side couldn’t live with the momentum generated by the Raiders in the second 40 minutes, particularly with the likes of Hudson Young and Joseph Tapine in impressive form.

And it was the hosts that began the brighter of the two sides, Jed Stuart crossing around the midway point in the first half before Jahream Bula responded for Wests with the half-hour in sight.

But the Raiders once more took the lead shortly after, Corey Horsburgh continuing his stellar try-scoring form with another four-pointer.

With Jamal Fogarty on target, Canberra led 12-6, but the Tigers did close the deficit to just two at half-time as Jeral Skelton dotted down.

That was as good as it got for the Tigers, however, as Ricky Stuart’s men turned the screw, Simi Sasagi powering his way through immediately following the resumption.

Though Wests tried to muster a fightback at 18-10 down, it was the Green Machine that landed the killer blow four minutes from time, the imperious Ethan Strange putting the final nail in the Tigers’ coffin.

RAIDERS: 1 Kaeo Weekes, 2 Savelio Tamale, 3 Matthew Timoko, 15 Simi Sasai, 5 Jed Stuart, 6 Ethan Strange, 7 Jamal Fogarty, 8 Josh Papalii, 9 Tom Starling, 10 Joseph Tapine, 11 Hudson Young, 12 Zac Hosking, 13 Corey Horsburgh. Subs (all used): 14 Owen Pattie, 16 Morgan Smithies, 17 Ata Mariota, 18 Noah Martin

Tries: Stuart (19), Horsburgh (31), Sasagi (47), Strange (76); Goals: Fogarty 4/4

TIGERS: 1 Jahream Bula, 2 Sunia Turuva, 3 Taylan May, 4 Starford To’a, 5 Jeral Skelton, 6 Jarome Luai, 7 Latu Fainu, 8 Terrell May, 9 Apisai Koroisau, 10 Fonua Pole, 11 Samuela Fainu, 12 Sione Fainu, 13 Alex Twal. Subs (all used): 14 Heath Mason, 15 Royce Hunt, 16 Charlie Murray, 17 Tony Sukkar

Tries: Bula (27), Skelton (37); Goals: Koroisau 1/2

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 6-6, 12-6, 12-10; 18-10, 24-10

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Raiders: Hudson Young; Tigers: Terrell May

Penalty count: 9-5; Half-time: 12-10; Referee: Kasey Badger; Attendance: 23,746