Match Details
Match Date	14th Aug, 2010
Opponent	Canberra
Result	Loss 14-28
Coach	Kevin Moore
Captain	Andrew Ryan
Venue	Homebush (ANZ Stadium)
Crowd	10,116
Referee	Jared Maxwell Brett Suttor

Breakaway tries in the second half from the impressive trio of Jarrod Croker, Josh McCrone and Daniel Vidot helped the Raiders come from behind to maintain hope of a first finals campaign since 2008.

Four-pointers from Andrew Ryan, Bryson Goodwin and Junior Tia-Kilifi had given Canterbury a 14-12 lead at the break, but Kevin Moore's side struggled in attack in the second period as the Green Machine secured a fifth win in six games.

Croker, who finished with a personal haul of 14 points, put the Raiders in front with a 90m effort seven minutes after halftime and the visitors secured the points when McCrone was on hand to grab Terry Campese's pass following a long-range run from his skipper, after Vidot had scored.

It was another disappointing display from the Bulldogs, whose season ended last week with defeat to Newcastle Knights, although their cause was not helped by the late withdrawals of utility Ben Barba (eye injury) and fullback Luke Patten (back).

The hosts recovered well from a slow start to hit back with three tries in the opening period after Josh Dugan had put the Raiders in front in his side's opening set, before Alan Tongue dived over on the stroke of halftime to close the gap to two points.

Dugan stepped past two tackles and danced his way to the line with Croker adding the extras with just three minutes on the clock, to give his side the perfect start.

The Bulldogs responded in positive fashion in the ninth minute with skipper Ryan going over.

Ryan looked to have added his second a minute later, only to be denied by the video ref Russell Smith for a double movement as he lurched his way to the line.

Smith was brought into action again for Canterbury's second try, but this time he ruled in the affirmative after Goodwin showed great athleticism to get behind the dithering Daniel Vidot and grasp Ben Roberts' grubber kick.

The hosts extended their lead further when Tia-Kilifi scored in the right corner, with the former Penrith man getting the final touch after the ball went through four pairs of hands.

Canberra coach David Furner said his young players were growing in confidence at the right time ahead of another big test when they host ladder leaders St George Illawarra next Sunday.

I like the character we showed out there, we talked at halftime about what we needed to do in defence and that is what won it for us and that was really pleasing, Furner said.

I have never faulted the ability or the effort of this team and now we are showing some grit and some character and that leads to confidence.

I never gave up hope of making the finals. I just think the ability in this team we are good enough to make the top eight.

We are not looking ahead of ourselves but I know the talent this team has. St George on Sunday in Canberra in front of big crowd should be a great occasion and test for us.

Bulldogs mentor Kevin Moore said his side's second-half struggles should have been avoided with better ball retention.

But he was furious that three first-half tries were disallowed by the video referee.

We probably should have led by 18 points at halftime, we created plenty and had a couple of decisions go against us, said Moore.

They just don't understand rugby league some of them ... both of their tries in the first half came from bad calls.

But we got fatigued and stopped playing the style of footy that put us in the lead at halftime.

Source: Fox Sports

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