The South Sydney Rabbitohs may have snared the points but the Canberra Raiders can hold their heads high after a 16-12 loss at GIO Stadium Canberra on Saturday 18 May.
A try-less first half was littered with penalties with the Raiders and Souths trading shots on goal; the Raiders taking a 6-4 lead into the sheds at halftime.
The first try came in the 50th minute with Cody Walker crossing for Souths before Sam Williams responded in turn for the Green Machine.
Souths regained the lead through Mawene Hiroti late in the match and despite a manic finish, the Raiders were unable to get across the line to steal the win in front of the 16,965-strong crowd.
Even with the result, it was a positive performance for the home side with an 84% completion rate. The challenge for the Raiders will be to maintain a similar intensity against teams lower on the ladder starting with the 13th placed North Queensland Cowboys. The Raiders host the Cowboys at GIO Stadium on Saturday 25 May. Kick-off 3pm.
At a glance
Brave fight back for win
The CBR Brave recorded their third consecutive victory when they defeated the Sydney Ice Dogs 4-3 in Canberra on Saturday 18 May. Trailing for the majority of the game, the Brave scored all their four goals in the final period. The Brave play the Ice Dogs in Sydney on 25 May.
YMCA half marathon
The 50th running of the popular YMCA Canberra Half Marathon will be held on Sunday 26 May 8am. Over 500 runners will converge on Lennox Gardens, Yarralumla to take part in the 21.1km event tracing the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. A 5km run and 1.6km mini jog will be held on Saturday 25 May. The event is organised by YMCA Canberra Runners Club. Online registrations close Friday 24 May.
More info: canberra.ymca.org.au/ymca-canberra-half-marathon/
Brumbies player movement
Playmaker Wharenui Hawera has been granted an early release from the Brumbies season in order to take up an offer to play Top League rugby in Japan. In other club news, Brumbies Academy graduates Len Ikitau and Noah Lolesio have signed new contracts to extend their stay with the club. Ikitau has signed until the end of 2021 whilst Lolesio will be with the Brumbies until 2022. The Brumbies are back in action on Friday 24 May hosting the Bulls at GIO Stadium. Kick-off 7.45pm.
Gems selection
ACT basketballers Isabelle Bourne and Ashlee Hannan are in the Australian Gems final selection squad for the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup. The duo will attend a camp at the Centre of Excellence from 30 May to 2 June after which the team will be selected for the World Cup in July.
Infrastructure upgrade
The federal government’s Community Sport Infrastructure Grant program has allocated $200,000 to install women’s changing and bathroom facilities at the training ground of the Brumbies at the University of Canberra.
Aussie Masters
Canberra eight ball players Ian Will and John Pagden have been selected to represent Australia in the Masters team at the upcoming 2019 Eight Ball World Champions to be held in Blackpool, England on 18-28 June.
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