Replay: Harold Matts Cup, Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks

The Canberra Raiders have defeated the Cronulla Sharks with a storming comeback in the second half in the Harold Matthews Cup. WATCH THE REPLAY.

The Green Machine produced an outstanding second-half comeback to down the Sharks 18 to 10 at PointsBet Stadium in the Harold Matthews Cup on Saturday.

Cronulla were unbeaten and on the top of the table prior to losing against Manly last weekend, but they looked set to return to form with the side leading 10 to nil at the break.

The Sharks went over for the first try of the match in the second minute after the ball travelled through the hands all the way to Tanna Featherstone who flew over in the right corner.

WATCH THE REPLAY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

Canberra braved the tough conditions to come away with a fighting win over the Cronulla Sharks. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Midway through the half the hosts had their second thanks to an outstanding individual effort from fullback and skipper Chevy Stewart.

The Sharks captain collected a kick inside his own 10 metre zone before busting through a couple of defenders on the left edge, sizing up his opposite number, beating him for pace and touching the ball down under the uprights.

The Raiders looked to have hit back late in the first period when Sam Gash broke through the Sharks’ defense, but the referee said the winger dropped the ball as he crashed over the line.

Halftime in the Harry Matts at Shark Park. 10-0 to the Cronulla over the Milk Men. Sharks capt Chevy Stewart with the play of the half, a full length of the field kick return for a try under the post. pic.twitter.com/NTMQN3rQoO

— Dylan Arvela (@dylanarvela) March 26, 2022

Canberra launched their comeback charges early in the second half when Siamani Leuluei barged over from close range.

In the 51st minute the Raiders scored their second with back rower Ethan Alaia finding the try line about 15 metres of the left of the posts – Gash managed to steer his tricky assignment through and give his side the lead.

Raiders hooker Jayden Wolfe taken in a strong tackle during the win over the Sharks. Picture: Tim Hunter.

The two points were all but sewn up four minutes later when Noah Marcantonio made the most of a three on two situation to score the Raiders third.

Gash kicked a perfect three from three to see the Raiders bus it back to the nation’s capital with a 18-10 win.

“I’m really proud, we were a bit busted out there,” Canberra coach Peter Marrapodi said after the match.

“We had some guys playing with injuries as well as [Mathias Tomuli-Ah-Kuoi] who couldn’t get back on. There was a lot of heart shown and we we’re down and up against it.”

“That’s the type of team we are, they’re a really good bunch of mates and they worked really hard so I am extremely proud as a coach.

The Sharks and the Raiders were locked in an arm wrestle in the wet conditions at PointsBet Stadium. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“They had seven more sets than us in the first half and we were going into the wind so we were trying to solve things on our own rather than sticking to our structures. When we got an even share of possession there we looked really good and we were able to play a bit of footy.

“It was a really high quality second half, they were completing well and so to come away from a game against a quality team like that makes me really proud.”

The Sharks will try to recapture some form against the Tigers in the penultimate round of the regular season, while Canberra, who are now level on points with Cronulla, will be back in Sydney to take on the Bears.

MATCH PREVIEW: The distance that’s bringing the Raiders closer together

Canberra continues to live up to its bush capital moniker when it comes to its rugby league junior representative pathways with youngsters being drawn in from the country to the coast.

Despite a turbulent season — thanks in large part to Sydney’s inclement weather — the Raiders Harold Matthews Cup side has bolted into finals contention with two rounds remaining.

Now Peter Marrapodi’s charges will need to step it up a notch as they head to the Sutherland Shire to take on the Sharks who were undefeated up until last weekend.

The Green Machine will go head-to-head with Cronulla in a top-six clash at PointsBet Stadium on Saturday with the match being live streamed exclusively on The Daily Telegraph website from 12pm.

Raiders middle forward Mathias Tomuli-Ah-Kuoi has been one of many young charges to impress for the Green Machine this season. Picture: Raiders Media

Marrapodi explained how his side are drawn from an expansive catchment area which he said is vital for the NRL to keep nurturing.

“It’s been a bit of an unusual year this year,” Marrapodi said.
“We have gone far and wide because we were unable to have trials in November so we invited players to come in from a wide area. We have people from as far away as Griffith all the way down to Eden so we’re covering southern NSW which is awesome.

“They are really hard-working kids, real salt of the earth. These kids and their family show a real commitment. We don’t expect them (to be in Canberra) all week. Everyone comes in for the Wednesday session and then, if they’re playing, they come in on the Friday for the captain’s run. We also have a Zoom team meeting on a Monday.

“This is rugby league heartland and it’s something we do need to foster. There are threats from all other sports which shouldn’t be taken for granted.

“Harold Matts is the first taste (playing for the Raiders), but a lot of great work is done by Country Rugby League and NSWRL with putting together development squads. We are generally looking across the Riverina and the Monaro, so country and coast, but there’s a lot of other people doing a lot of hard work and we know our place.”

The Raiders Harold Matts side bolted into finals contention after a big win over the Roosters last weekend.

The Raiders coach said he was impressed with his side‘s 36-18 win against Central Coast last weekend, however he admitted this weekend’s match up with the Sharks will be a more challenging assignment.

“It was a real danger game having not played for four weeks,” Marrapodi said.

Raiders goal kicking winger Samuel Gash has been sharp off the tee. Picture: Raiders Media

“We weren’t sure what was going to be dished up and Central Coast are a dangerous team when they get a roll on, they’re hard to handle so I was happy we were able to put in that performance.

“Cronulla is a tougher test. I know they dropped a game (against Manly on the weekend), but they’ve been the form team since Round 1 so it will be another big test this week.”

Due the big wet wreaking havoc on the fixture list, the match at Shark Park will be the Raiders first outside of the ACT, but Marrapodi doesn’t intend on using travel as an excuse for any lacklustre performances.

“Normally by the end of the season you have the routine down pat. The main thing that will hurt you is if you can’t get into a routine,” he said.

“The field is still 100m by 70m, it’s the same patch of turf.

“Some of these players travel to get here and then there’s the travel to game and it’s just something they need to get their head around.”

Originally published as Replay: Harold Matts Cup, Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks