LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The Canberra Raiders faced a 30-10 defeat to the Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.
Despite a valiant effort from the Raiders, the Cowboys, hungry for their first win of the season, proved too strong.
The game started with a breakaway from Jaxon Purdue threatening a Cowboys try, but a crucial tackle by Raiders' fullback Kaeo Weekes prevented it.
Captain Joe Tapine scored the first try for Canberra, with Jamal Fogarty converting to give the Raiders a 6-0 lead.
However, the Cowboys missed scoring opportunities, with Raiders' Hudson Young knocking the ball from Scott Drinkwater's grasp on the line.
The Raiders extended their lead to 8 after a penalty due to interference from Cowboys' John Bateman.
Despite the early lead, the Cowboys dominated the rest of the game, outscoring the Raiders 30-2 for the remainder of the match.
The Raiders struggled to maintain possession and were unable to stop the Cowboys' attack.
Raiders coach Ben Miller acknowledged the team's challenges, stating, "With nearly 60% possession, we should have done better." The Cowboys took advantage of the Raiders' errors, with multiple players contributing to their scores.
Cowboys coach Sarah Coulter praised her team's performance, saying, "It was a much-needed win for us, and the boys really stepped up today." The defeat marked the Raiders' third loss of the season, leaving them with areas to improve on in future games.
Despite the disappointing result, the Raiders remain determined to bounce back and continue competing in the tough NRL competition.