Wests Tigers 25
Canberra 4
Wests Tigers extended their late season charge toward the National Rugby League top eight by demolishing Canberra at Canberra Stadium, ending the Raiders' slim finals hopes.
The Tigers moved to 10th spot and just two points behind eighth-placed North Queensland with their third consecutive win, and they have the advantage of a good run home with three of their next four games against teams outside the top eight.
The Raiders, 14th on the NRL ladder, needed to beat the Tigers and win their remaining six matches to be in with any chance of making the top eight.
The Tigers bombarded Canberra in the first half and opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a try to halfback Tim Moltzen. Canberra, who failed to take advantage of the bitterly cold and wet home conditions, had their first chance to level the scores in the 16th minute when fullback Josh Dugan crossed for the Raiders.
But video referee Phil Cooley denied the try, ruling Raiders second rower Bronson Harrison had obstructed Tigers backrower Gareth Ellis.
Moltzen clocked up a second try in the 26th minute when he ran 75 metres to score under the posts and John Morris made it three tries to nil when he scored in the 33rd minute.
Tigers skipper Robbie Farah kicked a surprise field goal just before the halftime siren to give his team a 19-0 lead at the break.
The visitors kept control of the match in the second half with winger Taniela Tuiaki scoring in the 48th minute and five-eighth Benji Marshall converting from the sideline for a 25-0 lead.
Canberra finally put themselves on the scoreboard in the 62nd minute with try to winger Daniel Vidot.
It was an expensive try for the Tigers, with veteran John Skandalis placed on report for a late tackle on Raiders five-eighth Terry Campese, who had kicked the ball in goal for the try.
- AAP