Port Douglas Reef Raiders 31 (19) Barron 16 (8)

It’s back to Barlow Park for a consecutive year and this time JCU Mariners stand in the way of the Port Douglas Reef Raiders retaining the Rainforestation Cup in Saturday’s Grand Final at 6pm. JCU accounted for Wanderers 28-15 in their semi-final.

Raiders defeated Wanderers 29-24 in last year’s final after leading 19-12 at halftime.

“This is the ultimate for any coach to secure successive finals and the ideal would be to emulate last year’s success.

“However, we have put the semi-final behind us and concentrating on beating the top side in the league this year. We need to take the ascendancy in the first 20 minutes and not fall into the trap of trailing and chasing the game,” said Gooch, fast becoming Raiders’ most successful coach.

He has proved his ability to turn the side around after a dismal start to the season. Raiders lost 29-15 to Wanderers; 45-10 to JCU; drew 27-27 with Barron and lost 17-7 to Southside.

Raiders were able to put these results behind them and eventually ended the season as the top two clubs in the league as they mixed forward power and backline supremacy to overcome their opponents.

The forwards laid a good platform throughout the game in the 31-16 defeat over Barron allowing halves Wayne Oui and Luke Edwards to take control and dictate play.

Raiders’ try scorers were wing Jamie Quinn, fly half Luke Edwards, wing Cole Watson, lock William Brown and prop Thaddius Minniecon. Edwards added three conversions.