MATCH REPLAY: The Green Machine upset the Panthers in Harold Matts elimination final (NSWRL Junior Reps )

The Raiders caused a boil over in the Harold Matts Cup with a shock win against Penrith. Watch the full replay.

The Canberra Raiders have caused a shock result in the elimination final, beating the Panthers 24 to 18 at Ringrose Park in Wentworthville.

Josh Papalii 2.0, Mathias Tomuli-Ah-Kuoi, scored in the third minute for the Green Machine with a power drive close to the line, but forward Tana Papu returned serve for the Pennies only a few minutes later.

Perth-born Mathias Tomuli-Ah-Kuoi led the Raiders pack against Penrith.Picture: Richard Dobson

The Raiders went into the sheds 12 to 6 up after a cracking try from Jed Reardon with the second rower breaking through the line before rounding the fullback and diving between the uprights.

Canberra tightened their grip on proceedings with quick-fire tries from skipper Owen Hromow and Noah Martin and despite a late fightback, the Raiders were able to hold on for a six-point win.

Raiders coach Peter Marrapodi said he was proud of his charges, but feels there is more to come from them with the side taking on the unbeaten Magpies next weekend for a spot in the grand final.

WATCH THE REPLAY IN THE VIDEO PLAYER AT THE TOP

“We always try hard and I will always pat them on the back for that, but there’s always room to improve,” Marrapodi said.

Noah Martin finds the line in the second half.Picture: Richard Dobson

“It was a tough day, it was quite warm and the ball was in play a lot. You will notice on both sides the middles were really working hard and they had to put in a lot of effort so hats off to our boys, I am really proud of them.

“I think it will give us confidence. The fact we weren’t awesome today, but we’ve still come away with a decent performance I think that gives us a little bit of confidence.

“Really it’s just the first of three games that we’ve set ourselves to win so it doesn’t really means much until we win next week and the week after.”

MATCH PREVIEW

Whether it be in the halves, at the back or off the bench, Penrith prospect Riley Pollard is carving a name out for himself in one of the country’s best youth systems.

The Harold Matthews Cup ace is one of the handful of skilful players being rotated around the Panthers spine, with the move causing all sorts of problems for their opponents.

Pollard and his Panthers face the Raiders on Good Friday at Wentworthville’s Ringrose Park in an elimination final, the match to be live streamed on The Daily Telegraph website from 1.30pm.

“Five-eighth would be my main specialised position,” the Colyton Colts junior said.

“But with the way we work the middle and the edges, everyone in the spine can play anywhere. The coaches are telling us effective ways to use the field and we’re able to fit in anywhere.

“It’s been really good to be able to learn and adapt rather than just playing a specialist position.

“It has helped us think about different ways of using the ball.”

Born and raised in South Penrith, Pollard confessed he was a Storm supporter.

Melbourne Storm’s iconic trio Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater. Picture: Brett Costello

“Growing up I looked up to Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith,” the 16-year-old said.

“Then there was Johnathan Thurston and the other modern halves with their kicking games, which is something I’ve really worked on.

“I like to think I am good at organising and getting the team into the right spot where we can get our strike players involved.

“The team we have now has some much strike power in the backline so I have a lot of options.”