The Raiders went into Saturday's game at a disadvantage, with injuries keeping Adam Calcraft and Jordan Marsh from the field, and Grae Gilbert forced to play with a badly corked thigh.

Their eventual 22-14 loss was a missed opportunity to topple ladder-leader Southside.

The forward battle in the first half was a torrid physical affair, with both packs hitting the ball up in close. The set plays sea-sawed for the first 50 minutes of the match, as the Raiders at the back end regained control of their own set play and troubled Southside at the lineout.

In the first half, tries to James Thomas and Simon Chic were both converted by Gilbert, and unmatched by the three uncoverted Southside tries.

Though the score-line at the end was 22 – 14, the Raiders failed to take advantage of the wind at their backs in the second half, after trailing 15 – 14 at half time.

The Raiders didn't employ their kicking game to their advantage. When they did, the kick chase was poor, and broken play exponents left the team constantly using their energy up with scrambling defence.

In hindsight, deciding against taking the three points on offer on the back of Southside’s discipline at the breakdown may have contributed to the Raiders loss.

The three points went to Chica, relentless in defence all over the park. Without his effort, the score-line could have been much worse.

This long weekend's bye will help with the injury list, which increase during the game. Among the walking wounded were Todd Funch (wrist), Dallas Abel (broken nose), and Branchy (dislocated shoulder).

The Raiders are training Tuesday and Thursday in both weeks leading up to their game in Atherton against Wanderers on Saturday, June 15.