Penalty try gives Knights late win over Raiders

A 69th minute penalty try awarded to fullback superstar Tamika Upton snatched a last gasp 26-20 win for the Knights in a gripping contest with the Raiders in Canberra.

The Knights were twice forced to come from behind and scored two late tries through winger Sheridan Gallagher and Upton to maintain their unbeaten premiership defence after the opening two rounds of the NRLW.

The Raiders picked up where they left off after last weekend's 32-12 defeat of Wests Tigers when fullback Apii Nicholls chimed into the backline to put McKenzie Wiki over in the corner in just the third minute.

Star playmaker Zahara Temara extended Canberra's lead after lock Simaima Taufa slipped an offload near halfway to send halfback Ashleigh Quinlan racing away and her halves partner backed up to score in the seventh minute.

Knights centre Shanice Parker had a try disallowed but there was no denying captain Hannah Southwell as she crashed over from close range in the 16th minute.

Winger Lilly-Ann White levelled the scores at 10-10 in the 27th minute when she scored on debut after superstar fullback Tamika Upton drifted across field from a scrum win to create space for the rookie to dive over in the corner.

A Temara penalty goal gave the Raiders a 12-10 lead at halftime, and she put the home side further ahead with another penalty goal in the 43rd minute.

Try saving tackles by Nicholls and winger Shakiah Tungai kept the back-to-back premiers at bay but the Knights hit the front for the first time when star prop Caitlan Johnston-Green dived over to score in the 56th minute.

Tungai then scored from broken play after prop Kerehitina Matua picked up a loose ball to put her over in the corner and Temara converted from the sideline to put the Raiders ahead 20-16 with eight minutes remaining.

However, a long-range break from White enabled fellow winger Sheridan Gallagher to level the scores for the Knights in the 65th minute and the game appeared destined for extra time. 

Instead, the match was decided when Upton won the chase from a Jesse Southwell grubber into the in-goal and was awarded a penalty try after being held back by Nicholls to secure the win.