NYC Match Report: Raiders Secure Holden Cup Minor Premiership The Canberra Raiders’ Holden Cup side have secured the Minor Premiership in the National Youth Competition after a hard-fought victory over the fifth placed New Zealand Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium. With both teams certain to feature in this year’s semi-finals the match was a thoroughly high class encounter. New Zealand made the Raiders work hard to secure victory and the Green Machine didn’t seal the win until the 79th minute. Canberra’s forwards battled hard against a monster Warriors pack however it was the Raiders outside backs that allowed the team from the Nation’s Capital. The Raiders dynamic centres pairing of Brenko Lee and Andrew Heffernan registered doubles while winger Jonathon Reuben portrayed exactly why he was named in the Holden Cup Team of the Year after a breathtaking 90 metre try in the final minute of the match. After a grinding opening to the encounter, the Raiders opened the scoring in the 16th minute after some smart play from Trent Schubach. The wily hooker, standing at first receiver, came from the open side to the blind side to create an overlap for Lee, who was too good for his Warriors centre Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard. Two try saving plays from Jonathon Kent and Jordan Worboys prevented the Warriors from hitting back straight away, however Tuimavave-Gerrard was able to get some retribution for his earlier miss when he capitlaised on some fine ball play from five-eighth Tuimoala Lolohea. Both kickers missed their conversions meant that the score-line read four points apiece until a superb kick by Mitch Cornish followed by a fortunate bounce and regather by Heffernan allowed the Raiders’ to regain the lead. Cornish’s conversion enabled the Green Machine to take a 10-4 lead into the halftime break. Both sides traded blows early in the second half but it wasn’t until some sharp footwork from Heffernan the Raiders to further their lead. This lead soon vanished after two tries to the Warriors which locked scores up at 16 all. Lee grabbed his second try in the 73rd minute and more importantly allowed the Raiders to regain their lead after some quick thinking by Worboys and another scintillating run by Reuben. Reuben then put the result beyond doubt when he fielded a Warriors kick near his own line and then exploded up-field exuding a spectacular ability to change direction in full flight along with electric speed. The NYC Winger of the Year ran for an incredible 302 metres, registered one try assist, one line break assist, three line breaks, three tackle breaks and one offload. Canberra will now look to take this impressive form into the final round of the competition and continue to fire on all cylinders as they enter the semi-finals.
Posted on: Sat, 31 Aug 2013 08:42:41 +0000
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