The first game of the rugby union season kicked off last Saturday with the Rattle n Hum Reef Raiders traveling to Cairns to take on Wanderers.

With eight players unavailable due to injury and work commitments it was going to be a tough ask. But the Raiders weren't fazed by this and went out there with a positive attitude.

They put 13 unanswered points on in the first half with a try to new skipper Simon Chick and Kyle Lemon. The score should have been higher but some wrong decisions and dropped balls saw tries go begging.

There were a few stern words at the half by the coach telling the players not to rush and be patient, things will fall into place.

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The players listened to what was said and it told on the scoreboard with the Raiders winning 46-12.

Chick and Lemon both added to their tally, and new Inside Centre Grae Gilbert scored a double and took home a personal tally of 21 points. Curt Evans scored on the bell.

The best players for the day were Simon Chick with a captain's knock, young gun Ethan (Rodney) Hoffman who at fullback was elusive every time he touch the ball, and the Paddy’s man of the match went to Jason (Bieber) Tolley who was solid all day at Hooker.

With a great start to the season and numbers due back this week, the game in Atherton against Southside will be a good indication of how the team is travelling.