The Raiders rugby union team have laid the foundation for a solid performance against Brothers at the Port Douglas Sports Complex on Saturday after their encouraging display last week against Penrhyn.

The Raiders were unlucky to lose 38-36 in a try-scoring feast with both teams each scoring six tries.

And coach Stewart Cowe said after last week’s match there is a “good feeling” among the players and he is quietly confident they can turn things around. Raiders lost 24-14 when they met Brothers earlier in the season.

“Had we taken our chances last week and capitalised on goalable penalty opportunities, we could have won. We will not make the same mistake again,” he said.

“But we took a lot out of the game, not to mention matching Penrhyn with six tries and an evenly-fought upfront battle against a tough and niggling opposition.”

The Raiders will be strengthened in the midfield by the presence of Chase Hay, who had an outstanding game when he came on in the second half last week; and scrumhalf Adrian Bannerman gets another opportunity to capitalise on  his ebullience from the base of the scrum.

Hay’s ability to create opportunities and split the opposition defence will be a key factor and if he receives good support, this should open the way for possible tries. His intelligent tactical kicking could also be a challenge for the opposition.

“This week we worked on our support, handling and better control of holding on to the ball at the breakdown – key areas that have let us down. We also need to make first-time tackles, otherwise it will prove costly,” said Cowe.

He added that the players will be offering greater encouragement (to each other) on the field which he feels will serve as a motivating factor.

“We have the confidence; we know we can score tries and we know we can win. We just need to execute, eliminate the errors and we’ll be celebrating victory,” he said.

The Raiders XV for Saturday’s match at 4:00pm against Brothers RUC Cairns is as follows:
George Chadwick; Julian Weimer, Theo Ryan, Chase Hay, Lachlan Howe; Roy McHugh, Adrian Bannerman; Jack Murday, Hugh Carey, Sam Weimer, Liam Cowe, James Kelleher, Shane Branch, Harry Stewart, Clint Catchill.

MEANWHILE congratulations go to three junior players, Tyson Osborne, Zac Osborne and Ryan Hawking, who made the FNQ Storm side this week when they attended the State Championships.

The boys committed themselves well and held their own. The coaches were also impressed and the Raiders can be proud of producing such young, quality players. The club is looking forward to seeing the boys progress over the next few years.

Other club news: July 16 is the Adam’s Greenscene Ladies Day; thanks to Adam and Heather. Champagne will be flowing to say thank you to all the ladies for their support; and the Raiders XV will be playing JCU. Because of Show weekend, there is no game on July 23.