Raiders continue their winning ways dunking the sharks
SPORT
The Port Douglas Reef Raiders have got off to their best season in some time when they won their second game of the year defeating Cairns Penrhyn Sharks 32-7 on Saturday. The Raiders led 17-0 at half-time.
The Raiders crossed over for four tries and were also awarded a penalty try. The try scorers were Jack Murday, Connor McHugh, Matt Mallard and Adrian Bannerman. Ethan Hoffman added two conversions and a penalty.
This win follows their 31-0 drubbing of the Cairns Northern Beaches Mudcrabs last weekend. Their only loss has been to the Barron Trinity Bulls who won 22-19 following a penalty in the dying stages of the game.
The Raiders again impressed with their solid defence and coach Travis Gooch said this was proving to be a key factor. “We’ve only conceded one try in the last two games. That says a great deal for that aspect of our play,” he said.
Gooch said there was an improvement in the handling, which was a trifle suspect in the Mudcrabs match.
“We were also messy at times, but once we settled down, we put our structure in place and this allowed us to have the upper hand,” he said.
This weekend Raiders are away to Southside, the form team who are unbeaten, and according to Gooch, will be a significant challenge.