The Orange CYMS junior played more than half the game as the Raiders won the NRL Community Carnival Country Challenge match 27-18 at Albury on Saturday.

Wighton stepped onto the field when Joel Thompson came off injured and the teenager impressed in the centres.

Raiders half Sam Williams said Wighton had no problems taking on the experienced Melbourne players.

“He went really well. Defensively he was solid and in attack he made a few little breaks,” Williams said.

“He’s only just turned 19, so to play against the Storm and be one of the best players out there was a really good effort.”

Williams said the win was important for the Raiders club.

“For the first game of the year, to beat Storm was great. We haven’t won a trial for four or five years but the way we played was great,” he said.

Canberra’s next trial will be against the Bulldogs at Wagga on Saturday.

Williams expected a smaller squad to be named for Saturday’s trial but said that didn’t mean Wighton, who is eligible to play Toyota Cup, would be ruled out.

“The way he played on the weekend there’s no reason he won’t be there,” Williams said.

The Bulldogs will be keen for a win on Saturday after going down to the Sydney Roosters on Sunday.

Orange product Daniel Mortimer played a key role in the Roosters’ win at Belmore Sports Ground, scoring a try.

Mortimer spent time at fullback and five-eighth during the trial and he impressed with coach Brian Smith.

“We’re still using him as utility player and he got a bit of time at 6 and 1 and did pretty good,” Smith said.

It was a special game for Mortimer who played on the ground where his father, Peter and uncles Steve and Chris, started the family dynasty with the Bulldogs.

The Roosters’ next trial will be against the Wests Tigers this Saturday.