Raiders slip to second loss, Sharks take home a draw

RUGBY UNION & RUGBY LEAGUE

Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

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Flank Jaxon Bray takes on the Mariners with prop Clint Katchel (left) and lock Ady Whittaker up in support. Image: Joanne Cowe.

JCU Mariners 45 Port Douglas Reef Raiders 10

It’s not the start the Port Douglas Reef Raiders wanted with consecutive losses in their quest to emulate last year’s championship success.

Last week at a packed community centre, they succumbed in the last 10 minutes losing 29-15 to Wanderers. And at the weekend, JCU Mariners scored seven tries to two in romping home 45-10.

Scoring seven tries, the Mariners put the game to bed when they led 28-0 at half time. The Raiders scored two second half tries through Cole Watson and Esteban Correa. This win puts the Mariners at the top of the table.

Sadly, though, a dearth of players again reared its head and the Raiders had to rely on 17 players, plus a few ring-ins, which barely provided a solid substitution bench.

Hooker Damien Friedrichs clings to the ball as Mariners close in. Image: Joanne Cowe.

But, it is still early days, and coach Travis Gooch said the alarm bells were not ringing.

“It hasn’t been an ideal start to the season in defending our title, however, we are not ringing any alarm bells just yet.

“Once again we couldn’t fault the team’s efforts that were out there playing big minutes, but unfortunately we were up against it from the start.

“We now have a two-week break to regroup before taking on Barron Trinity Bulls on May 8 at the Paddock, Machans Beach at 4pm,” said Gooch.

Raiders’ top performers were Jaxon Bray, Dereck Letcher and Jack Murday.

Other results:

Barron 16 Wanderers 14
Brothers 21 Southside 5

Rugby League

Edmonton 26 Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks 26

Defending champions Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks had to be content with sharing the spoils with Edmonton, who are unbeaten in the 2021 CDRL season.

The hosts were buoyed by a hat-trick of tries by wing Wade Smith, but it did not provide the desired result and they had to settle for a draw.

Mossman-Port Douglas A grade side claimed back-to-back premierships and a place in the history books after a thrilling 30-24 victory over Innisfail in the Cairns District grand final in 2019. Because of COVID-19, there were no matches in 2020.

After winning the title in 2018 and 2019, and in 1998, this is the first time consecutive A Grade titles have been won since the club joined the competition in 1955.

This was also the first time Mossman fielded two sides in grand final day and secured two premiership titles.


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