Game Summary
The Canberra Raiders put on a commanding performance at GIO Stadium on Saturday evening, defeating Western Suburbs Magpies 32-4 in Round 21 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup to keep their finals aspirations firmly intact.
Both sides entered the match separated by just one point on the competition ladder in a battle for top-five positioning, with the Raiders sitting 10th on 23 points and the Magpies sixth on 24.
The Magpies drew first blood in the 15th minute when winger Jeral Skelton finished on the right edge after a slick pass from fullback Heath Mason, who had come into the line at pace. Mason's conversion attempt from the sideline was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 4-0.
The Raiders hit back with efficiency. A sharp cut-out pass from five-eighth Ethan Alaia put Savelio Tamale into space on the left edge, and the centre showed his class by finishing virtually untouched. Coby Black converted from the sideline to give the Raiders a 6-4 lead they would not relinquish.
The home side seized control in the final minutes of the first half as Tamale crossed for his second, set up again by a well-weighted pass. Sione Finau then strolled over in the 39th minute after Stewart tipped on to Mark Tuialii, who found Finau with time and space on the right edge. Black converted both to send the Raiders to the sheds with a commanding 16-4 advantage.
The second half was more of a procession for Canberra with Alaia burrowing over from close range to extend the lead early in the piece, before Queensland product Chaev Kolone ran a beautiful angle off Black's pass to score his debut try and push the margin out to 26-4. The Magpies, starved of possession and struggling to threaten the Raiders' line, managed just the one try throughout the 80 minutes.
Chevy Stewart put the finishing touch on the night with a late try, latching onto an offload from Tamale to race away in the final minute. Black converted four from six for the night to seal a 32-4 victory that vaults the Raiders back into finals contention.
Talking Points
Savelio Tamale was a constant threat for the Magpies' defence, scoring two tries and consistently finding the ball in space on both edges.
Ethan Alaia was influential for the home side, again at the centre of everything good from the Raiders. His reading of the defence and attacking involvement gave his outside men repeated opportunities.
Key Moment
With the score at 6-4 and the Magpies still within striking distance midway through the first half, Tamale's second try shifted the contest strongly in the Raiders' favour. The Magpies were unable to build enough sustained pressure to reclaim the lead, then Finau's try in the final minute of the half turned Canberra's lead into a 12-point buffer that the visitors were never able to close.
What's Next?
The win lifts the Raiders to 25 points with a bye in hand as they face Penrith Panthers in Round 22. For the Magpies, they host the Parramatta Eels at Lidcombe Oval next Sunday afternoon.
