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Addo-Carr safe at the back as Raiders chase one last try
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It’s a tense final few minutes for Parramatta as they hold onto a slim lead, with Ethan Sanders threatening to kick a 40-20 then putting up a dangerous bomb just in front of the Eels’ goal posts. Josh Addo-Carr is there to defuse both those kicks, and the Eels are hanging in there.
The Raiders shift it left and let off the pressure when Jed Stuart puts down a looping pass – the coach’s son has had a bit of a rough night on the wing – and now the Eels have the chance to really put this game away.
Eels 15, Raiders 12 with three minutes left
TRY: Laurie slices through as Raiders close in
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This game is turning now. Owen Pattie is providing some spark at dummy-half off the bench and he kicks ahead for himself and forces a dropout when Isaiah Iongi wins the race to the ball. And then the Raiders attack again and Daine Laurie – playing five-eighth with Ethan Strange away on NSW Origin duty – dummies to the outside and runs himself to score Canberra’ second.
Canberra are finally taking advantage of the Eels’ errors – they went on this attack after a Joash Papalii error – and are just three points behind as we head into the final 10 minutes.
Eels 15, Raiders 12 with nine minutes left
TRY: Timoko finishes off Raiders’ backline shift
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They’re in! The Raiders finally have some points on the scoreboard, and it’s probably the best try of the game so far, a nice shift from the right edge to the left from outside the Eels’ 40-metre line. Kaeo Weekes puts Jed Stuart into space down the left wing and he links up with Matthew Timoko who scores out wide.
Ethan Sanders lands the conversion – goal-kicking could become vital in this one – and the Raiders are suddenly back in it.
Eels 15, Raiders 6 with 17 minutes left
TRY: Eels extend lead as Iongi sends Kautoga over
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A Corey Horsburgh high shot gives Parramatta a full set on the Raiders’ line, and unlike their opponents they are able to cash in quickly. Fullback Isaiah Iongi holds up a pass to the last possible moment then throws a short ball to Kitione Kautoga who slices through the defensive line to score down the left.
Tallyn Da Silva converts and the Eels are on track for a rare win here.
Eels 15, Raiders 0 with 29 minutes left
Addo-Carr penalised after runaway intercept
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A whirlwind minute of action now as Zac Hosking makes a break for the Raiders to put his team on the attack, but then Josh Addo-Carr bursts out of the defensive line to intercept an Ethan Sanders pass. He runs 50 metres before being chased down, and then bizarrely is penalised for using his feet to push away one of the tacklers in a kicking motion.
Eels 9, Raiders 0 with 33 minutes left
Russell produces a bone rattler
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Eels centre Sean Russell produces the first highlight of the second half with a crunching tackle that forces the ball free from Sebastian Kris. The Eels have a great chance to score but Sam Tuivaiti puts down a wayward pass from bench hooker Tallyn Da Silva a few metres from the Canberra tryline.
Eels 9, Raiders 0 with 35 minutes left
Best shots of the first half
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Can Canberra remember how to score?
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It’s now been more than 120 minutes of footy since the Raiders have scored a point, with a scoreless first half tonight after last week’s 26-0 loss to the Roosters.
While it’s a great turnaround for Parramatta – who have conceded the second-most points in the league this season but have stiffened up their defence recently with tonight’s effort after last week’s tough 14-12 loss to Canterbury – it’s a very frustrating time for Canberra.
Last season the Raiders had the fourth-best attack in the regular season, and finished on top of the ladder. Right now they look long shots to make the finals unless they can get their scoring touch back soon.
First half stats snapshot: Eels making the most of their chances
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Half-time: Raiders botch another chance as Eels add field goal
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Ethan Sanders returns as the Raiders once again get into Parramatta territory, with Kelma Tuilagi penalised for a dangerous tackle. They force another dropout, get yet another set, and kick for the corner – but Xavier Savage is only able to get a hand on the ball as it bounces over the sideline and he can’t ground it on the tryline.
The Raiders have now had 32 tackles inside Parramatta’s 20 metres, and haven’t scored a point. It doesn’t say a lot for the creativity in attack of this Origin-depleted Canberra team, but credit to the Eels who have tackled their hearts out tonight.
And Parramatta finish the half on a high with Ronald Volkman adding an extra point – why not? – with a field goal in the final seconds before half-time.
Eels 9, Raiders 0 at half-time
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