The Port Douglas Reef Raiders rugby union team have surged to the top of the Rainforest Cup following an impressive 25-7 win against the JCU Mariners at the Port Douglas sporting complex on Wednesday night. Raiders led 15-0 at halftime.

The Raiders crossed over for four tries, which went to Kornylius Tuimauga, Trazane Cobb, Esteban Correa, William Brown. Tomas Venter added a conversion and a penalty. This win also gave the Raiders a bonus point.

The points table after Wednesday’s game: Port 23; JCU 19; Barron 18; Wanderers 17;
Mudcrabs 13; Brothers 5.

Raiders coach Travis Gooch was delighted with the result and this is coming from a highly committed team.

“It was a dominant and pleasing display from the team in a game where we played for the full 80 minutes. We talked during the week about being the hungrier team and the boys delivered last night.

“The forwards set a solid platform that we could attack from and the defence was relentless throughout the entire game, particularly on our own goal line,” he said.

Gooch said it was awesome to see a huge crowd come down and fill the banks and get in behind the team.

“It was a great spectacle under lights and the response from the crowd was very pleasing with many asking: why don't we play night games more often? This is something to look at in the future.

“The boys are really enjoying playing their rugby at the moment and with a short turnaround we will look to ride that energy and momentum into this Saturday's game vs Wanderers in Cairns.

Standout performers were: Kornylius Tuimauga, Esteban Correa, William Brown.