Raiders make it two straight at home after overcoming Wests Tigers

Canberra Raiders held off the fast-finishing Wests Tigers on a sunny afternoon in the nation’s capital to claim a 28-22 victory at GIO Stadium.

The victory meant it was back-to-back wins for the first time in Canberra's history in the competition and the first loss for Wests Tigers in the NRLW despite a gallant performance by Leianne Tufuga, who crossed for a hat-trick in a beaten side.

Losing star fullback Botille Vette-Welsh with a head knock in the 27th minute and Kezie Apps to the sin-bin in the second half, the Wests Tigers scored late to take the game down to the final minute but couldn't catch the Raiders in the end.

Raiders halfback Ashleigh Quinlan had a scintillating start to the contest with a charge down on her opposite number providing field position for the home side to claim first points.

The Raiders' fast start continued with a beautiful short pass from Temera putting England International Hollie-Mae Dodd over untouched for her first NRLW try. 

Tufuga crossed for her first when Apii Nicholls failed to defuse a Pauline Piliae-Rasabale kick which they quickly took advantage of with a slick backline movement to the left-hand side which was finished off by the centre. 

After consecutive sets on the Raiders try-line, Wests Tigers would capitalise on the field position with Kezie Apps beating two defenders and carrying another over the line to score her second try in as many weeks.

Both teams would struggle to break the deadlock with an error riddled end to the first half as they entered the sheds but a frantic start to the second half saw both teams have opportunities to put their noses in front.

The deadlock would be broken after Temara would supply a crisp pass for Shakiah Tungai on the right edge, who would dive over in the corner securing her first NRLW try since 2019.

Similar to the first half the Raiders would put on consecutive tries with Monalisa Soliola running an impressive line to score in back-to-back games. 

The visitors would be reduced to 12 after Kezie Apps was sent to the sin bin for a second effort after an impressive cover tackle on Tungai, who intercepted a ball from her own half.

Canberra only needed one set to take advantage of the extra number with a sharp run against the grain from Cheyelle Robins-Reti, beating multiple defenders on her way to the try line.

Tufuga would complete her hat trick after scoring two tries in the space of five minutes setting up a grandstand finish in the process but a final set by the Wests Tigers wasn't enough as the Raiders held on for a win.