Organizers poked a little fun at the now-infamous openin

Canberra are closer than ever to a maiden premiership in the NRL era, beating a fast-finishing Penrith 22-12 in Saturday nights sudden-death semifinal at GIO Stadium.The Raiders survived a late fightback to set themselves a date with minor premiers Melbourne at AAMI Park next weekend for a spot in this years decider.It will be the clubs first preliminary final since the 1997 Super League season, and brings them to within two wins of their first title in 22 years.Buoyed by the surprise return of star playmakers Josh Hodgson and Blake Austin, the Green Machine made up for their disappointing loss to Cronulla in week one of the finals to dominate most of the match.They held an 18-0 lead until just before the hour mark, when back-to-back tries threatened to deny them a crack at history in front of 21,498 fans.But they held on, despite missing Hodgson in the closing stages after he was taken off for a concussion test.Hodgson had been rated a slim chance to play after suffering ligament damage and bone bruising in last weeks qualifying final against the Sharks, but the hooker made a miraculous recovery to steer the Raiders to victory.Austin was also instrumental in his first game back since breaking his hand last month and undergoing surgery.Penrith fans couldnt drown out the home crowds spine-tingling Viking clap, nor did the men in black themselves have an answer to the Raiders rampaging start.Austin converted a glut of early possession into points in the 11th minute, using his trademark dummy and step to plant the games first try with his heavily strapped left hand.Joy turned to fear when Austin started limping after rolling his ankle, but the five-eighth came good - and so did the Raiders right edge.Dubbed Leipana, Joseph Leilua delivered a pin-point grubber for Jordan Rapana to dive on and score five minutes before halftime for a 12-0 lead at the break.It was Rapanas 21st of the year - equalling the club record for most tries in a season, jointly held by Noa Nadruku (1993), Brett Mullins and Jason Croker (both 1994).His skipper Jarrod Croker drew closer to a record of his own with another four-pointer and conversion just moments into the second half to extend the lead to 18 points.The Raiders momentum was brought to a sudden halt, with the Panthers staging a comeback with two tries inside six minutes.Tyrone Peachey crossed over just before the 60-minute mark off a superb long-range pass from Matt Moylan, and was soon followed by a converted Dallin Watene-Zelezniak effort for a six-point game.But a pair of penalty goals to Croker in the final five minutes denied any chance of an upset victory to Penrith, who bow out of the competition.To win a semifinal is always a big effort, so I was happy with it, Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said.That experience was very helpful for us - not just for next week, but for our future.Now we need to repeat it and be better again.Were playing against the best team in the competition next week, so theres certainly a challenge and its going to be a very, very difficult task.But weve had belief in ourselves all season - thats what has got us through and given us extraordinary resilience against some tough situations.Stuart revealed post-match that Hodgson had not only battled an ankle, but came down on Friday with a severe stomach bug. Adidas Zx Flux Dame Danmark . Three came down to the fourth quarter while quarterbacks continued to shine in all four games; so important to the overall quality of the game. Yeezy Sko Fake . Only three players drafted by NHL clubs were included on the Czech selection camp roster on Wednesday. Those players were Dallas Stars 2012 first-rounder Radek Faksa, Winnipeg Jets 2013 fourth-rounder Jan Kostalek and Phoenix Coyotes 2012 seventh-rounder Marek Langhamer. http://www.yeezyskodanmark.com/ . Tests earlier this week revealed a Grade 2 left hamstring strain for Sabathia, who was hurt in last Fridays start against San Francisco. Its an injury that will require about eight weeks to heal. He finished a disappointing campaign just 14-13 with a career-worst 4. Yeezy Boost Danmark . Rousey will put her perfect 8-0 record and hardware on the line against another undefeated fighter, 7-0 Sara McMann in the main event of UFC 170, which will be held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas Nevada on February 22nd. Adidas Zx Flux Danmark . Most important, perhaps, it went off without a hitch. Organizers poked a little fun at the now-infamous opening ceremony gaffe that saw only four out of five snowflakes open up into rings, leaving the Olympics logo one ring short. CLEVELAND -- Cleveland Cavaliers forward Channing Frye will be out indefinitely following the death of his father on Thanksgiving.The Cavs offered their condolences and support to Frye, whose father, Thomas, passed away about a month after his mother, Karen Mulzac-Frye, died following a battle with cancer.Cleveland (11-2) said Frye has been excused from the team and wont play Friday against Dallas. The team plays Sunday at Philadelphia.Frye posted a message Thursday on IInstagram saying: Be thankful for the person next to you.dddddddddddd My father passed away today. Yall better love on your family.He missed two games following his mothers passing.The 33-year-old Frye is having a solid second season with the defending NBA champions. He is averaging 11.3 points per game and making 49 percent of his 3-pointers. ' ' '