League Unlimited

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Apr 25, 2010 4:20pm
The old cliché, a game to two halves, best describes the match today in Canberra as South Sydney Rabbitohs clawed their way to victory, winning the game 26-24 against the Canberra Raiders.

Down 24-6 at the break, it looked for all money that the Rabbitohs were well and truly overshadowed by a dominant and confident Canberra Raiders side. All the Raiders tries in the first half showing the skill the home side possesses, most of all Dugan's try where he taunted the sideline to twist around the corner flag to score. One of the top tries so far this season.

Not to be outdone, Dave Taylor also showed he has acrobatic skills as he dived across the line in the second half to score his 1st try in a Rabbitohs jersey.

4 tries for Souths in the 2nd half culminated to 20 unanswered points to the visitors and ultimately the victory.

A tough game fought by both sides which had the vocal crowd in Canberra on the edge of seats until the final whistle.

Match Details
Canberra Raiders 24 were defeated by South Sydney Rabbitohs 26
National Rugby League - NRL - Round 7 - Sunday April 25, 2010 2:00pm
Venue: Canberra Stadium
Referee: Steve Lyons and Matt Cecchin
Video Referee: Phil Cooley
Touch Judges: Daniel Eastwood and Adam Reid
Crowd: 0
Halftime: Canberra Raiders 24 South Sydney Rabbitohs 6

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Issac Luke (1 Try, 1 Conversion)
2 Points - Rhys Wesser (1 Try)
1 Point - Josh Dugan (1 Try)

Canberra Raiders (24)
Tries: Trevor Thurling, Joel Thompson, Josh Dugan, Jarrod Croker
Conversions: Terry Campese (4/4)

South Sydney Rabbitohs (26)
Tries: Rhys Wesser, John Sutton, Nathan Merritt, Dave Taylor, Issac Luke
Conversions: Issac Luke (1/2), Chris Sandow (2/3)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Excellent conditions for this the first game of ANZAC Sunday. Rabbitohs as per programme. Adam Mogg at Number 7 for the Raiders, his 2nd game back from the ESL.
1 min: ANZAC tributes are over, and the Raiders get the game underway.
2 min: Sluggish finish to the Rabbitohs set by Sandow put under a lot of pressure. Raiders start their set 40 metres out.
3 min: Line dropout - Raiders
4 min: 20 metre restart for the Rabbitohs as Mogg's kick in goal is a little too hard.
6 min: The game played at a frantic pace by both sides. Campese already breaking thru the line 2 times.
8 min: TRY
Raiders defence a little sparse and Sutton seemingly breaks thru the line at ease to score under the posts.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 6-0
10 min: First penalty of the match goes the Rabbitohs way. They launch their attack 40 metres out.
15 min: The Raiders defence at times allowing the Rabbitohs players to slip thru.
17 min: Raiders close to scoring with Merrit just getting the attacker into touch before he offloaded inside.
20 min: TRY
Issac Luke made a good break from the Raiders line only to drop the ball 40 metres out. Dugan throws a great pass from the resulting scrum and Crocker scores untouched under the posts.
6 all
25 min: Video ref used for a try to Dugan down the touch line.
26 min: TRY
Dugan does some aerial acrobatics to touch the ball down just over the line while keeping out of touch. Fine effort.
Canberra Raiders 12-6
31 min: Thompson for the Raiders makes a huge break but butchered a certain try by not passing the ball. Raiders awarded a penalty tho 10 metres out.
32 min: TRY
Thompson redeems himself for his earlier error by busting thru 3 defenders to score after Tongue took the tap from the penalty.
Canberra Raiders 18-6
36 min: TRY
Harrison made the initial break to set up the Raiders on attack yet again. Thurling scores his 1st NRL try as he plants the ball after nearly being held up in goal.
Canberra Raiders 24-6
37 min: Tongue off with a groin injury, precautionary by the Raiders staff. Kick off goes out on the full. The Rabbitohs making it hard for themselves before halftime.
40 min: Halftime: The Rabbitohs started the game with a hiss and a roar but the home side have dominated for the majority of the half as the score indicates. 24-6.
41 min: Luke kicks off for the Rabbitohs to get the second half underway.
43 min: Solid start to the half by both sides.
46 min: Souths seems a little stilted on attack with errors letting them down.
48 min: The Raiders looking set to score. Penalty against them for a shepherd.
49 min: TRY
Sutton puts up a high kick out to the wing. Brett Kelly looked to have it covered but Merritt comes in and snatches the ball to score.
Canberra Raiders 24-10
54 min: TRY
Nice chip by Sandow, gathered in by Sutton who in turn gets the pass away to Luke. Looks to have injured his shoulder.
Canberra Raiders 24-16
56 min: Luke still out on the field for Souths.
59 min: TRY
The Raiders defence in tatters as the backs come in off their line allowing a rampaging Taylor to dive over the line out wide. His 1st try for the Rabbitohs.
Canberra Raiders 24-22
62 min: Souths now fired up as is the crowd.
66 min: Souths get back to back sets as Taylor once again causes havoc out wide and the knock on occurs.
67 min: TRY
The Bunnies hit the lead in style as Wesser flies over the line.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 26-24
72 min: The Rabbitohs consistently putting pressure on the Raiders line. So far the home side defence is holding.
76 min: Any attack by the Raiders in let down by poor ball security at the moment. Urgency setting in.
77 min: Wesser and Dugan both go after a high kick, with Wesser coming off the best.
79 min: Raiders trying everything but the Rabbitohs holding fast.
80 min: Raiders make a mistake 10 metres out from the Rabbitohs line. Penalty awarded to the Raiders for a swinging arm. Logan on report.
80 min: Fulltime: Amazing comeback by the visitors to snatch the game away from the Raiders.