9:30pm By PETER JESSUP
The Warriors paid for a slow start, sloppy handling and the conceding of too many penalties when they went down 38-30 to a committed Raiders side in Canberra Saturday night.
The home team went 16-0 up with tries to prop Todd Payten, centre Jamaal Lolesi and five-eighth Michael Monaghan as the Warriors fell off tackles around the ruck.
They made a remarkable comeback to go to the break 18-16, Clinton Toopi a good solo try, Vince Anderson beating the cover to a high kick from Jones after the halfback had grubbered, regathered and gone to his boot again, and Toopi securing his second touchdown after good work from Motu Tony.
The Raiders played fast and wide and their passes stuck as they came back with tries to fullback Phil Graham, good all day, and new wing Mark Asbock.
But when Brent Webb beat all to a Tony kick-through and Ivan Cleary converted again, at 30-26, the Warriors looked home.
They relaxed, John Carlaw knocked on a crucial high ball in front of the posts and the turnover let Mark McLinden score untouched, the Warriors showing signs of slacking, of old, of not reacting.
Ruben Wiki stunned them again in the last seconds with a simple try from a penalty tap as they stood watching.
Warriors pay for slow start
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