THE Canberra Raiders are one step closer to claiming the NSWRL SG Ball title after marching into the grand final qualifier in emphatic fashion yesterday.
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The Raiders made light work of the previously undefeated Balmain Tigers in their qualifying final, winning 40-8 at the Windsor Sporting Complex.
The Raiders will return in a fortnight knowing they are two games away from collecting the club's first under-18 premiership since 2005. Raiders coach Peter Marrapodi urged his impressive side to maintain its momentum for the rest of the finals campaign.
''What I said to the boys was that we can't let this chance go to waste,'' Marrapodi said.
''All this will count for nothing if we can't back it up in a couple of weeks.
''Everything went to plan today … I couldn't be happier.''
Lock forward Patrick Mago crossed for a double in the seven tries to two victory, while halfback Anthony Milford kicked six from seven with the boot. The Raiders went in as underdogs against the minor premiers, but were far from overawed as they went into the break with a handy 18-4 lead.
They kept up the pressure in the second half, even when the match was well in the bag.
''Even when we were up by 30, the guys kept putting their bodies on the line defensively,'' Marrapodi said.
''We held out four sets on our own line at one stage. That's the sort of stuff I was really happy with.''
South Sydney is the other team directly through to the grand final qualifiers courtesy of a 40-30 win against Manly, while Penrith and the Sydney Roosters won their respective sudden-death encounters.
AT A GLANCE
SG Ball qualifying final: CANBERRA RAIDERS 40 (Patrick Mago 2, Jeremy Cropper, Jordyn Ballard, Josh Baker, Jono Kent, Sonny Tupuola tries; Anthony Milford 6 goals) bt BALMAIN TIGERS 12 at the Windsor Sporting Complex yesterday.
