Ill-discipline proved costly for the Raiders with the Newcastle Knights running away victors 34-10 in front of over 2000 hearty supporters at Scully Park, Tamworth.
Knights winger James McManus opened the scoring within the first five minutes at Scully Park with the NSW Blues winger diving over after a crafty tip-on by BJ Leilua. Tyrone Roberts converted to give the Knights a 6-0 lead.
The Raiders hit back shortly after when a towering Jack Wighton bomb was coughed up by Newcastle and the ball was swiftly passed by Joel Edwards into the waiting arms of Edrick Lee who crossed.
Both sides registered further tries to Akuila Uate and Jarrod Croker however it was the boot of Roberts that ensured the Knights went into the break two points clear.
Canberra fielded a vastly more inexperienced side in the second stanza and Newcastle ultimately proved too strong with the Knights scoring four tries to the Raiders' one.