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Knights fall short in Canberra

It was a slow start for the Knights with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad posting first points when he dived on a grubber.

With the Raiders up 6-0, the Knights hit back through Jesse Ramien. 

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Ramien burnt Wighton with a fend before out-pacing Nicoll-Klokstad to the line.

Unfortunately Kalyn Ponga was unable to convert and the Knights were trailing 6-4. 

The Raiders appeared to have scored after a cross-field kick to the wing of Jordan Rapana resulted in an offloaded to Joseph Leilua. But the centre was held up in a try saving tackle from Edrick Lee and Hymel Hunt.

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It didn’t matter.

A Mitchell Pearce kick was charged down by Wighton and a few plays later, Sam Williams scored for a 12-4 lead at the break.

Thunderous downpour brought in the second half, and the Raiders domination continued.

A mid-game spine switch occurred, with Kalyn Ponga seemingly returning to fullback, and Kurt Mann slotting in at five-eighth.

Nicoll-Klokstad continued his hot form, collecting a double 20 minutes before the fulltime buzzer, however Croker was waved away.

Once again the Knights right edge proved their worth, this time veteran Shaun Kenny-Dowall crossing in the corner. Ponga slots the conversion and the Knights bring the gap back to six.

A rogue forearm from Joseph Leilua and Tim Glasby was replaced by David Klemmer.

The Knights again looked promising on the right edge, darting up-field, however Kenny-Dowall was trapped in the corner and couldn't even up the score.

A late drop goal to Sam Williams sealed the deal for the home side.