Zahara Temara becomes Raiders hero in milestone match as magical golden point field goal denies Tigers victory
A 10-game losing streak at GIO Stadium has finally come to an end for the Canberra Raiders as they celebrated captain Zahara Temara's milestone match with a victory over the Tigers.
It has not been the easiest of seasons for either team but the risk of slipping towards the wooden spoon position was one the Raiders were not willing to see come true.
All eyes were on the Raiders skipper as she ran out for her 50th NRLW match, just one of the many stars who were present in the league's foundation season.
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In fact, Temara was the player to kick off the first match in the inaugural season in 2018.
When it came time to step up for her team on Saturday, Temara made sure she was ready.
A second half blitz by the Tigers put the Raiders on alert as two costly late errors denied the hosts the opportunity to seal their win with a field goal in regular time.
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Instead, the match entered golden point where both teams battled in the mid-field. It was a break through the middle by Temara that put her in place to slot the match-winning field goal from close range.
"That was nonchalant. As easy as you'd like it," Nine caller Mat Thompson said.
Zahara Temara of the Raiders. NRL Imagery
Temara ignited her attacking line within the first minute of the game and forced an error in-goal by Tigers winger Lily Rogan, who lost the ball when attempting to catch the kick.
On the next set, a perfect pass from Temara into Elise Simpson opened the path for the latter to break through the Tigers defence and power over to score.
"This is some nice football from the Raiders," Ruan Sims said in commentary on Nine.
"What an athlete. She stood head above every other player - she's 18-years-old," Brad Fittler added.
Temara orchestrated the hosts second try just 10 minutes later as she pulled defenders off their line to create a hole for Jordyn Preston to punch over the line.
The Tigers did manage to get one try on the board before the break through Caitlin Turnbull but they also saw two stars placed on report by the referee.
The duo were Iemaima Etuale and Portia Bourke, who were pinged for a hip drop tackle and high contact call respectively.
The visitors were trailing by eight when they entered the break but Salma Nour wasted no time stamping the Tigers back onto the scoreboard to narrow the margin.
Nour needed just three minutes to find the tryline as she collected an offload from Tara Teinke to charge into goal. Emily Bass Bass successfully converted.
Elise Simpson of the Raiders celebrates scoring a try. Getty
Then Turnbull darted over for her second of the match on the next set and silenced the roar of the burgeoning crowd in Canberra.
Just four points separated both clubs with 10 minutes to go and Simpson was not going to let the scoreline remain out of favour for the Raiders as she grabbed a double.
Temara looked to be the saviour her side needed as she lined up for the conversion but the ball floated left of the post.
The 17-16 win for the Raiders see them lift to ninth on the ladder while the Tigers remain at the bottom.