The game between the Raiders and Innisfail was described by one observer as being the best and most frustrating the Raiders have played in this year - but it brought the result expected.

The first 40 minutes exemplified the control taken from the training paddock and into the game. Control and transition from set play to broken play in the forwards laying a platform for the backs to score five of the six tries of the game.  

The kicking game, and patient build-up, displayed in the first thirty minutes will go a long way towards winning this competition. Any team, including the Raiders, who put this rugby on the park for the majority of the eighty minutes week in week out will be there Grand Final day.
 
The second half of the game saw the Raiders overplaying their game plan, far too eager to convert each play into points rather than building to the desired outcome.

This individualism, coupled with a distorted and hard to explain penalty count, culminated in 12 points for the Raiders in the second half with the opposition posting 17 points - effectively losing the half.

The game broke down and all aspects of play including the kicking game fell away.

The positive to take away from the game, apart from the win, is the playing group have already analysed their game and are disappointed with their discipline and resolve to the game structure.

Applying the KISS theory in rugby makes for very attractive play.

Final Score: Raiders 40 def. Innisfail 17
Tries Grae Gilbert 2, Simon (Chica) Chic 1, Funchy 1, Grant Payne 1, Adrian Bannerman 1
Conversions: Grae 5 from 6
Best Players: Three points to Grae Gilbert, two points to Chica and one to Phil 'Meatray' Stewart.

The team will have to find the control needed at training over the next two weeks with a bye this weekend before playing an in form Brothers outfit on Saturday 11 May in Atherton.