Poor finish does not help Raiders in what is becoming a trend

RUGBY UNION

Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

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Raiders forwards try and wrest the ball from Southside during Saturday's match at the sports complex. Image: Joanne Cowe

THE Port Douglas Reef Raiders rugby union team once again fell into their own trap when they were beaten 53-17 by Southside on Saturday at the sports complex.

In what sadly is becoming a trend, they fell away in the second half after holding Southside to 12-12 at the break and trailed by only seven points with 20 minutes to go

 

“It is a worry that we are losing games in the final 20 minutes and this is something we are addressing.

“We cannot question the players’ commitment, but we are unable to maintain possession and we are paying dearly. We are also opting for the wrong options at times and this is hurting us,” said club president Donnie Murday.

Murday said the team was solid in the first half and matched Southside in all facets of the game. Fullback Ethan Hoffman, captain and eighthman Adrian Bannerman and lock Liam Cowe, son of Raiders stalwart Stu, were standouts.

The Raiders are playing Brothers at the Port Douglas Sporting Complex this Saturday at 3pm. 

 

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