by Darryl Kirk

The Port Douglas Under 12s Rugby Union team took on Wanderers in Cairns on Friday night, and at the half way point of the comp the young Raiders went into the match full of confidence.

The first 10 minutes neither side were dominating play with the game being play at a fast pace up and down the paddock. Wanderers scored the first try.

That seemed to give them motivation and using their big boys they took control of the rest of the first half. Capitan Georgia Kelly was solid all night and only knows one way to the try line -  straight up the middle, and tackled all night.

A Port Putt Putt Man of Match performance had Scott Bowen leading from the front and taking on all the opposition no matter what size.

With a few injuries in the second half the Raiders were forced to make some positional changes and with too many easy turnovers and indecisions at the rucks Wanderers were allowed to score several times.

To their credit the young Raiders turned defence into attack, kicking out and chasing from within their 22, they applied the pressure with picking and driving then getting the ball out to backs having speedster Xavain 'X Factor' Pitt flying down the wing scoring under the posts, and Zac Osborne converting.

With the final score at 7 – 52 the Raiders can hold their heads high. Playing a much bigger opposition they all showed grit and determination to the end, it was only from some set plays that let them down.