The Port Douglas under 12s Rugby Union team played in the final match of the season in Cairns on Friday night battling for fifth or sixth position against Wanderers.

The Raiders got off to a slow start and let Wanderers score a couple of cheap tries. When the Raiders got into gear they got a five-pointer of their own through some smart play by spinning out to the backs, and with the forwards keeping the ball in hand Tom Walker went over in the corner.

It was still anyone’s game at half time with the score 15 – 5 to Wanderers. The second half started at a fast pace and the opposition slowly started to dominate the play.

Port Putt Putt Man of the Match Leith Malone had a blinder in attack and tackled everything that came his way. Wanderers won the game but the young Raiders made them work for it and admitted that that was one of their toughest games this season.

For the Raiders, finishing sixth out of ten was a credit to them as for many it was their first time playing rugby union and they played some very good sides.

Coaches Todd Malone and Darryl Kirk only had praise for their team because they all showed grit and determination in all their games to the end.