This time the league gods favour green

A six-again call 10 months in the making has helped Canberra to a crucial 14-12 win over the Cowboys in Townsville. Down by four points, the Raiders were awarded a set restart by old foe Ben Cummins which led to a Curtis Scott try from the ensuing set.

It was little comfort given what happened against the Roosters in the grand final last year, but it proved to be a telling moment last night, as the Green Machine did just enough to claim two vital competition points.

“I don’t think we deserved to win, but we found a way,” Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said. You could hear the screams coming from the nation’s capital when Cummins awarded the Cowboys what would have been a game-tying penalty goal from in front, but a terrific captain’s challenge saved any potential drama when Dunamis Lui was ruled onside.

The Cowboys played with plenty of spirit but they were let down by poor execution.

“We saw signs of the type of team that I want to see, but we keep shooting ourselves in the foot,” interim coach Josh Hannay said.

“At some point as a footballer … you need to grow up and do your job in big moments.”

It’s a phrase that keeps Canberra fans up at night, especially when combined with the name Ben Cummins after last year’s blunder in the competition decider.

You could only laugh last night when referee Cummins restarted the tackle count when who else but Jack Wighton was held down late in the set with his side trailing 12-8.

A few plays later, the Raiders crossed through the returning Curtis Scott.