The play set up an attacking scrum, with Crichton sending through a weighted kick that just missed Jacob Kiraz’s outstretched fingers.
At the start of the second half, Crichton again provided his side’s inspiration, delicately chipping the ball between two players on the last play of the set at the Raiders’ goal line, collecting it inches before it went dead for his second try of the game.
Josh Addo-Carr of the Bulldogs scoring one of his two tries at Belmore.Credit: Getty Images
Joining his captain in returning from injury, Addo-Carr delighted the crowd with a well-taken try after centre Bronson Xerri fixed the Raiders defence to allow space for the winger to go over.
The Raiders’ Matthew Timoko responded with a well-taken try after a perfectly placed grubber kick from Jamal Fogarty.
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Bulldogs second-rower Viliame Kikau had scored three tries in his past four games and should have gone over for his fourth before he was brilliantly stripped of the ball the line by his far smaller opponent, Weekes.
Crichton provided another highlight after collecting Matt Burton’s high bomb and sending Addo-Carr through with a flat pass for his second try of the evening.
Raiders winger Jordan Rapana went over for a converted try after a well-executed attacking scrum to put just four points between the teams, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough, to the delight of the vast majority of the 18,910 fans in attendance.
Shortly, before the players step onto the field at Belmore, there is a sign that asks ‘Did you take that opportunity?’
The Bulldogs can answer in the affirmative after not only breaking the run of nine successive defeats against the Raiders, but also putting themselves well in contention for the finals.
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