Canberra Raiders produced a brilliant all-round performance to keep Parramatta Eels to nil, scoring 19 unanswered points.
Canberra were completely on top in the opening quarter but couldn’t break through a resolute Parramatta defensive line.
But as the Eels felt their way back into the game, they fell behind when Josh Hodgson fed Josh Papalii. Jarrod Croker slotted the conversion before adding a penalty before half-time.
The Raiders were playing with speed in the second half and two of their English contingent combined as they extended their lead. Josh Hodgson’s grubber was kicked on and grabbed by Elliott Whitehead.
Canberra continued to pull away when Jack Wighton took in Sam Williams’ kick. Then Williams, with four minutes to go, put a little gloss on the scoreline with a field goal.
Raiders: Nicoll-Klokstad, Cotric, Croker, Leilua, Rapana, Wighton, Williams, Papalii, Hodgson, Lui, Bateman, Whitehead, Sutton; Interchanges: Havili, Young, Soliola, Tapine
Tries: Papalii, Whitehead, Wighton; Goals: Croker 2; Field goal: Williams
Eels: Gutherson, Sivo, Jennings, Takairanig, Ferguson, Salmon, Moses, Alvaro, Mahoney, Paulo, Lane, Niukore, Moeroa; Interchanges: Terepo, Mannah, Evans, Gower
Full match reports of all this weekend’s NRL games will feature in Monday’s League Express.
