Port Douglas have narrowly defeated the Southside Crusaders at Raider Park, in another tight tussle at the weekend. 

Club president Don Murday believes it’s the best star to a season he remembers.

A solid first thirty minutes in each game this year has set up the results for the Raiders.

Intensity from the first whistle has been the cornerstone of the Raiders success and the side's ferocious attack was again on display against the reigning premiers.

Solid defence and attack both up the middle and through the backs saw the Raiders cross the line three times in the first half.

Adam Calcraft who was on a rampage all day finishing two strong forward attacks twice with tries.  

A brilliant individual effort from Simon Chic left six Southside defenders clutching at thin air in an outstanding 40-metre run bringing the crowd to their feet.

But a loss of focus saw several other opportunities fall away and the Crusaders clawed their way back into the game on the back of costly errors. 

In the second half a try to Grant Payne saw a good end to a strong attacking raid but the Crusaders kept coming. 

The visitors pressured the home team for the last ten minutes pushing for an away win.

But some scrambling defence and a little luck meant the scorer remained untroubled late. 

26 – 19, the final score in a thrilling encounter.

Best for the Raiders: Adam Calcraft, 3 points, Blair Laughton 2 points, Simon Chic 1 point.

We have areas to address with our game and this is hampered by not having a coach.

We currently have a panel of senior players addressing the needs of this position which is not ideal. 

Maintaining intensity for a full eighty minutes is largely match fitness issue but the Raiders have been able to build twenty point leads in the last two matches. 

With two byes in a row and only one game before the Easter bye players will have to improve their fitness on the training track.

The team plays just one game in the next month but club officials sense the Raiders have a great opportunity to win this year’s premiership.