The Canberra Raiders today have recorded their biggest ever comeback to defeat the Wests Tigers at the iconic Leichhardt Oval.
The Wests Tigers shot off to a magnificent start, leading 22-0 after 25 minutes thanks to tries from Tim Simona, Keith Galloway, Luke Brooks and Pat Richards.
But it was a stray pass from dummy half by the Raiders that seemingly turned the game, with 50 minutes remaining. As the ball bobbled behind the players, big Raiders prop Shannon Boyd picked up the loose ball and barged his way through the flat footed Tigers defence.
A cross-field kick found a leaping Jarrod Croker who scored just minutes before half-time, reduced the Raiders defecit to 10.
Tries to Frank-Paul Nuuausala and Jack Wighton saw the scores all tied up with 15 minutes remaining. Jarrod Croker kicked a penalty goal before Jordan Rapana sealed the game with a try on the stroke of full-time to give the Raiders a 30-22 victory.
Wests Tigers: 1. James Tedesco; 2. Kevin Naiqama, 3. Tim Simona, 4. Chris Lawrence, 5. Pat Richards; 6. Mitchell Moses, 7. Luke Brooks; 8. Andrew Woods, 9. Robbie Farah (c), 10. Keith Galloway, 11. Curtis Sironen, 12. Kyle Lovett, 13. Martin Taupau.
14. Dene Halatau, 15. Ava Seumanufagai, 16. Jack Buchanan, 17. Sauaso Sue.
Tries: Simona (3), Galloway (7), Brooks (20), Richards (25)
Goals: Richards 3/4
Raiders: 1. Jack Wighton; 2. Edrick Lee, 3. Jarrod Croker, 4. Sisi Waqa, 18. Jordan Rapana; 6. Blake Austin, 7. Sam Williams; 15. Frank-Paul Nuuausala, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Dane Tilse, 8. Josh Papalii, 12. Iosia Soliola, 16. Paul Vaughan.
11. Jarrad Kennedy, 19. Shannon Boyd, 20. Kurt Baptiste, 21. Luke Bateman.
Tries: Boyd (29), Croker (35), Nuuausala (45), Wighton (65), Rapana (79)
Goals: Croker 5/6
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match:
Tigers: James Tedesco
Raiders: Paul Vaughan
