Dubbo Macquarie survived a real scare at Kennard Park on Sunday but they managed to keep their Group 11 top three hopes alive with a 44-31 win over the Wellington Cowboys.
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The Raiders made the trip to Wellington as overwhelming favourites against the winless Cowboys side, but they were made to work and with 10 minutes remaining the scores were all square.
Wellington opened the scoring when front-rower Nathan Smith barged over but the Raiders hit back quickly, with fullback Mason Williams racing 90m to help make it 6-all.
Tries to Macquarie’s Rowan Orcher and Cowboy Ben McGregor made sure it was equal again before the Cowboys took the lead in spectacular fashion with Robbie Dowton leaping to catch a Nathan Stewart kick.
Timoci Yauvoli scored for Macquarie but the hosts still led 20-18 as the teams went into the sheds.
Impressive second-rower Wade Peachey got Macquarie back in front with a big bust through the middle but a double from Wellington captain-coach Lewis Stanley soon had his side leading 30-24.
Winger Viliame Turuva then got in on the action for Macquarie and Williams’ succesful conversion locked things up again at 30-all.
With 10 minutes to go it was anyone’s match but Williams kicked a penalty to give his side a two-point buffer.
He then grabbed his second try, making a blistering run from halfway before an Etuate Gusuivalu try sealed the result for Macquarie and ensures they move into equal third on 14 points, along with Forbes and Nyngan.
