The Raiders emerged 28-22 winners at the end of a nine-try thriller against the Eels on Sunday afternoon in Canberra.
Eighteen unanswered points through the first 20 minutes set the platform for the Green Machine, but they had to work hard to propel a spirited comeback from the Eels in the second half.
The win sees the Raiders maintain pace with the leading group on eight competition points, with co-captain Simaima Taufa again at the heart of the performance, making a game-high 47 tackles and carrying for 136 metres.
Following a golden point win over the Dragons last week, the home side made a fast start with Madison Bartlett crossing in the second minute for her 14th try at NRLW level, before Sophie Holyman strolled over under the posts.
Madison Bartlett try 1st minute
Zali Fay then went close to scoring but was held up over the line on the last tackle, before the Raiders added another through Alanna Dummett.
With co-captain Zahara Temara converting all three for a 18-0 lead, the Eels needed to spark to life quickly and got back into the contest by way of tries either side of half-time from Amelia Mafi and Kimberley Hunt.
The Raiders then added two more, with Shakiah Tungai scooting away down the right and Cheyelle Robins-Reti going over, but on each occasion the Eels replied with one of their own within minutes, first through Abbi Church and then a spectacular 35-metre dummy-half dart from Cassey Tohi-Hiku down the short side.
Cassey Tohi-Hiku 57th minute try
A penalty with 90 seconds to play handed the Eels one last chance, but they couldn't find a way through and will head into Round 6 still searching their first win of the season.
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Match Snapshot
- The Raiders earned their fourth victory of the year, despite finishing the game having had only 47 percent possession and completing at only 62 percent.
- Canberra made six line breaks to Parramatta's two.
- Monalisa Soliola left the field in the eighth minute and didn't return with a suspected ankle injury.
- The Raiders are now three from three at GIO Stadium.
- Madison Bartlett scored the 14th try of her NRLW career and had a team-high 159 run metres.
- Three former Eels came up against their old club for the first time, with Simaima Taufa, Ash Quinlan and Tommaya Kelly-Sines all representing the Green Machine this time around.
Play of the Game
A crisp right-side shift from the Raiders became an issue for the Eels when Apii Nicholls beat her marker and offloaded to Shakiah Tungai who had too much pace for the cover defence from there.
Shakiah Tungai 46th minute try
What They Said
“We just spoke as a group and we are now four from five which is pretty good. It’s something that when we started this and you said we would be four and five we would have questioned a little bit. A win is a win. That was disappointing that we got to the 18-nil lead and we just gave them a little sniff. We were worried about that. We knew Parra were coming down here to play and like any team in the NRLW you give them a sniff and it can come back to bite you a little bit. It was well closer than it should have been, we will review it in the week and we have to be better.” - Raiders coach Darrin Borthwick
Round 5: Raiders
“I have got a lot of pride in their performance. We fought hard at the toughest of times out there, we dug deep, we did a lot of the things that we came here to do but probably a bit of disappointment because we didn’t give ourselves a lot of opportunity to win at the start. We were a little bit out on a few plays there which cost us, which we’ll look at. I’m really impressed by this team and what they continue to give in a tough season. In a tough situation out there today, they showed character and what they’re about. The pride I have in this team is just growing every week." - Eels coach Dean Widders
Eels: Round 5
What's Next
The Raiders head north to take on the Broncos in Brisbane next Sunday, while the Eels open the round with a clash against the Cowboys as part of a double-header at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.