Game Summary
Canberra halfback Coby Black helped the Raiders overcome a 16-0 deficit to defeat the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 35-16 in Round 12 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup at Seiffert Oval, grinding out their fourth victory for the season.
Manly had a blistering start, with Semisi Kioa crossing in the seventh minute after a clever last-tackle kick from Onitoni Large was plucked out of the air by the leaping Navren Willett, who tipped it back for Kioa to finish. The Sea Eagles then capitalised on a Raiders error from the kick-off, with Aaron Schoupp cutting through on the short side to make it 10-nil inside 10 minutes.
The Raiders steadied but continued to trail, with Kioa sealing a double in the 16th minute after a set of six that culminated in a well-executed last-tackle option. Tex Hoy added the conversion to push the lead to 16-nil, and the Raiders needed a response.
Canberra began to find their footing, with Regan Carr grounding a kick-chase try in the 21st minute after a well-directed grubber from Coby Black gave Kain Anderson enough time to fly high and tip the ball back.
Mark Tuialii grabbed his seventh try of the season in the 30th minute, the beneficiary of a Shaun Packer break from a Manly drop-out, before Black converted to trail 16-10.
In a strong finish to the first half, Sione Finau leaped to take a short drop-out and freed Anderson for his sixth try of the season. Black converted and the two sides went to the break all square at 16-16.
The Raiders came out with intent after half-time and took the lead early in the second stanza when Black took the line on himself from short range and converted his own try to make it 22-16. From there, Canberra controlled the contest, with Jordan Uta crossing after another high kick was tipped back by Anderson to push the margin to 12 points.
Black then sealed the win with a field goal before finishing the match in style, pouncing on a ball that cannoned off the upright to score his second try of the half. The Sea Eagles failed to add to their first-half tally, and the Raiders ran out 35-16 winners.
Talking Points
Coby Black was instrumental in the Raiders' victory, seizing control of the contest while scoring two tries, a field goal and three conversions to finish with 19 points.
Kain Anderson was a constant aerial threat, taking the ball on the last tackle to set up multiple tries across both halves with precise taps back infield for supporting runners.
Manly's first-half display was encouraging, particularly from Onitoni Large and Semisi Kioa, but the Sea Eagles couldn't trouble the scoreboard in the second half which impact their chances for an upset.
Jake Clydesdale was placed on report for a tackle on Kylan Mafoa, adding a disciplinary note to the Raiders' otherwise controlled afternoon.
Key Moment
With the scores locked at 16-all heading into the second half, Coby Black took the line on himself in the early stages of the second stanza, driving through two defenders and converting his own try to give the Raiders a lead they would not relinquish. That moment shifted the momentum decisively and opened up a buffer that Manly couldn't bridge.
What's Next?
The Raiders return home to face St George Illawarra Dragons next week, looking to build on their fourth win of the season. For the Sea Eagles, they head to Henson Park on Saturday to take on the Newtown Jets.
