Several of the new NRLW teams have surprised many and the Canberra Raiders have continued their roll-on with a thrilling and narrow win over the St George Illawarra Dragons.
With their veterans once again stepping up to the plate when it mattered, it was Zahara Temara who slotted the game-winning field goal in extra time.
The win means the Raiders have won three from four as their heart and resolve sees them emerge as a genuine contender.
As both sides settled into the contest, it would be the Dragons who would eventually score first points.
The left shift saw the ball trade hands between Tyla Nathan-Wong and Teagan Berry, before eventually ending up in the hands of Bobbi Law to score in the centres.
It did not take long for the Raiders to bounce back as they scored off a scrum play that saw Shakiah Tungai score in the right corner after a nice flick pass from Cheyelle Robins-Reti.
The Raiders then hit the lead soon after as Chanté Temara burrowed over from dummy half with a classy effort.
Player of the match Simaima Taufa then produced a swashbuckling run as she bust through the middle, delivered a huge don’t argue to Teagan Berry and powered over to score.
One of the tries of the NRLW season then ensued as Raecene McGregor chipped over the top, found Berry racing through who grabbed the ball, dummied, strolled past and went over to score.
The Dragons completed a comeback to draw the scores level when Bobbi Law scooped the ball up and found Margot Vella on her inside to race 50m to score.
With the game evenly poised, it eventually came to golden point after a tough, gruelling contest, before Temara stepped up and slotted the match-winner.
Although Raiders coach Darren Borthwick was pleased the win, he admits that his side made it hard for themselves.
“I don’t want to take the win away from the girls, but we did make it hard for ourselves,” Borthwick said.
Dragons coach Jamie Soward lamented his side’s game, admitting that a soft first half ultimately cost them the game.
“We were soft in the first half. It sucks to lose that way,” Soward said.
“It’s exciting for everyone at home, but in the first half we weren’t good enough.”
Canberra Raiders 19 (Tungai, C. Temara, Taufa; Goals: Temara 3; Field Goals: Temara 1) def. St George Illawarra Dragons 18 (Law, Berry, Vella; Goals: McGregor 3).
NRL News NRLW Player of the Game
3. Simaima Taufa (CAN)
2. Teagan Berry (SGI)
1. Alexis Tauaneai (SGI)