Todd Carney. Photo / Getty Images
The Sydney Roosters have inflicted a fourth straight NRL loss on the Raiders, edging out their hosts in a tight affair at Canberra Stadium yesterday.
The Roosters scored four tries to the Raiders' two, in a closely-fought contest that saw the ball spend most of its time in the visitors'
own half.
Roosters halfback Todd Carney, sacked by Canberra in 2008 for a series of off-field indiscretions, got his side away to a fast start in front of a hostile crowd.
Carney intercepted a Raiders pass in the 12th minute and ran 80m to score the first try of the match.
He then had a hand in the visitors' second four-pointer two minutes later, when his attempted 40-20 kick that was destined for the sideline, was pushed back into the field of play by Canberra fullback Josh Dugan. However, the ball bounced into the path of Roosters winger Sam Perrett, who darted over to give the Roosters a 10-0 lead.
The Raiders hit back as centre Joel Thompson and winger Joel Monaghan scored tries, converted by Jarrod Croker, to hand the green machine a 12-10 lead at the interval.
The Roosters started the second period strongly and centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall found the tryline four minutes after the break to restore his side's lead.
A benefit-of-the-doubt try awarded by the video referee to hooker Jake Friend then gave the Roosters an unassailable lead in the 67th minute and consolidated their top eight spot.
Off the pace throughout the match, the Raiders had difficulty switching on after a six-day turnaround following last Monday's disappointing 18-10 home defeat to the Bulldogs. Canberra have now lost five of their seven home matches this season.
Carney blew an opportunity to add insult to the Raiders' injury in the final seconds, his pass inside after a break down the left touchline going to ground.
Victory improved the Roosters' return for the season to eight wins and six losses. But they have not managed consecutive wins since the opening two rounds.
- AAP
