Cowboys survive scare to down Raiders in Canberra
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Four first-half tries set the Cowboys up for a 28-18 road victory over the Raiders on Saturday afternoon, but only after they survived a major scare in the nation's capital.
A stellar opening half, which began with a Vitalina Naikore try on the very first set, put North Queensland in the box seat to claim their third win of the season, and it was only due to Kirra Dibb's struggles off the tee that Canberra were even within two scores at the break.
But the Green Machine came out of the sheds a different side – something that has been a habit for them to date in 2024 – and twice clawed back to within six points at GIO Stadium.
The home side were left shellshocked by Naikore's strike off a Dibb kick inside two minutes, and it was followed by a carving 80-metre effort from Krystal Blackwell 10 minutes later.
Vitalina Naikore Try
While a sloppy error and back-to-back penalties from the Cowboys opened the gate for the Raiders to get one back with 15 to go in the half, with Sophie Holyman crashing through from close range, it wasn't long until Jasmine Peters cancelled it out with a third for her side.
Tiana Raftstrand-Smith added a fourth just before the break for a 18-6 lead.
Tiana Raftstrand-Smith Try
But 10 minutes into the second period Canberra were back within six after Felice Quinlan grabbed a Sereana Naitokatoka offload to score with one of her first touches as an NRLW player.
Having well and truly wrestled momentum back, the Raiders were inches away from likely drawing even when Simaima Taufa almost grounded a bouncing ball in the in-goal, but instead Dibb came up with a game-changing play on the ensuing dropout by forcing an error with a short kick.
Naikore flew through the air for her second on the next set to re-establish a 10-point margin, before Taufa got over to set up a thrilling finish with four to go.
Vitalina Naikore Try
But a second try to Peters inside the final minute killed off any chance of a late comeback, handing the Cowboys their first road victory of the season and third in total.
Match: Raiders v Cowboys
Round 5 -
home Team
Raiders
8th Position
away Team
Cowboys
5th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Match Snapshot
- The Raiders have now conceded 106 points in their past four games.
- The Cowboys made 10 line breaks in the win.
- Canberra skipper Simaima Taufa was huge in a beaten side, making 42 tackles and scoring a try in the second half.
- Powerhouse centre Jasmine Peters broke nine tackles on her way to a try-scoring double.
Jasmine Peters Try
- Raiders centre Cheyelle Robins-Reti left the field with a shoulder injury on 42 minutes, following a tackle which saw Emma Manzelmann placed on report.
- Relna Wuruki-Hosea was placed on report for a dangerous tackle in the 51st minute, before leaving the field for a HIA a short time later.
- Makenzie Weale was ruled out by a head knock in the second half.
Play of the Game
A wonderful moment for Felice Quinlan, who scored a try with one of her first touches as an NRLW player after being a late call up to the squad in place of her sister Ash, who missed the game through illness. The try was set up by a lovely late offload from makeshift No.7 Sereana Naitokatoka, who herself was elevated to the starting lineup due to Ash Quinlan's absence.
Felice Quinlan Try
