Raiders top Warriors to end home losing streak

The Raiders have rewarded the Canberra faithful with their first home win in more than three months, defeating a hapless Warriors side 20-18 at GIO Stadium.

After a four-game losing streak, Ricky Stuart’s men looked like a different team and dominated the visitors in the opening minutes on Friday night.

But after taking an early lead, they were again guilty of ball-handling errors, defensive lapses and, at times, bland attacking play.

Only Warriors five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita’s wide shots saved the Raiders’ embarrassment as they were outscored by the visitors four tries to three.

Three conversions and a penalty from Canberra native Jamal Fogarty made the difference.

“We were lucky, very lucky,” Stuart said after the end of the match. “We probably didn’t respect the position we were in and that cost us dearly.”

“Nobody is going to feel sorry for us if they beat us and we haven’t had any luck, so I don’t feel sorry for anyone. I’ll take the two points.”

Canberra winger Xavier Savage was part of a problematic right edge for Stuart, with two of the New Zealanders’ tries coming from his side of the field.

But after NSW Warriors forward Mitch Barnett crashed over to level the scores at 14-14 with 20 minutes remaining, it was Savage who pounced on a Kaeo Weekes shot to score a crucial four-pointer, duly converted by Fogarty on his return from a long-term biceps injury.

“Don’t look at Xavier and point fingers at him for those defensive issues,” Stuart said.

“There was a lot more going on inside Xavier there.

“I think Xavier was very good tonight. He has to continue to do well, but he is maturing and becoming a really good football player.”

Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake scored shortly after Savage’s try but with the chance to draw level again, Harris-Tavita missed a simple conversion just left of goal with first-choice marksman Adam Pompey injured.

Harris-Tavita was visibly devastated by the loss and headed straight for the sheds as soon as the final siren sounded.

“Shooting on goal wasn’t what defined us tonight,” Warriors coach Adam Webster said.

“We have to start better, 14-0 is not enough. We just chase the game for the rest of the game.”

Pompey limped off the pitch at half-time with an injured knee after a difficult first period for the visitors, who also lost defender Taine Tuaupiki to a head knock in the opening minutes.

By then the Raiders were already ahead with two tries in five minutes from Hudson Young, back in the team after a groin strain.

The Warriors’ outside defenders struggled against Fogarty’s high shots, with Tuaupiki and Dalene Watene-Zelezniak losing the ball in the swirling breeze in the first half.

But the Raiders were too often guilty of simple handling errors.

After winning a second set 10 metres from Canberra’s try line, the Warriors scored just before half-time through Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who had been switched to fullback in Tuaupiki’s absence.

The Raiders looked uninspired in the second half, outscored by the Warriors three tries to one.

Only the trusty boot of Fogarty saved them from a fifth successive home defeat and kept them in the race for the top eight, with a winnable home game against South Sydney next on the agenda.