JCU Mariners deny Raiders back-to-back Premierships

Rugby Union Grand Final

Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

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Action from the Grand Final at Barlow Park on Saturday. Image: Joanne Cowe


JCU Mariners 29 (15) Port Douglas Reef Raiders 22 (17) 

Those closest to the Port Douglas Reef Raiders rugby union club left Barlow Park on Saturday night understandably disappointed, but they rightfully held their heads high when they reflected on a tough and demanding season.

And the Raiders should welcome the sentiments of the JCU captain Kai Lowah who praised Port Douglas, saying they were “a very tough team” and that he expected them to be up there again next season.

“For them to get to back-to-back grand finals, it’s amazing.

“It’s a solid effort from those boys, and to come out and give us a scare like that, that speaks volumes, so I think all the teams should be scared of Port,” he told NewsCorp.

The Mariners secured their second Rainforestation Cup in three years with this win. 

The comments were not lost on Raiders coach Travis Gooch.

It was a tough contest on Saturday night. Image: Joanne Cowe


“Disappointing result, but can’t fault the guys’ efforts. I am very proud of the team. After losing 12 players from last season, we struggled with numbers early on and it was looking like we wouldn’t even play finals rugby.

“To then make the grand final was a huge accomplishment and a reflection on how hard this team worked throughout the season. We knew we had the core group of players to defend our title and once the numbers picked up our season turned around, winning six games in a row leading into the Grand Final.

“We gave it a good crack but unfortunately fell just short of back-to-back premierships,” said Gooch.

Extra time

It will be the dying moments of the match that will be played and re-played in the players’ minds and if it wasn’t for a knock-on five metres from the JCU try line, the match would have gone into extra time.

With two minutes left on the clock, Raiders replacement flanker Shana Aue scored to close the gap to 29-22. JCU kicked off for the last play of the game and Raiders held the ball for numerous phases, getting inside JCU’s 22 and possibly having a chance to draw the game to take it to extra time.

Jack Murday attacking the line. Image: Joanne Cowe


However, it was not meant to be with Raiders knocking on the ball five metres out from the try line and the ref blowing full time.

The match itself resembled a proverbial see-saw. Each time the Raiders put points on the board, JCU followed suit and in the end, this proved to be the ideal formula for success. 

Luke Edwards shone as pivot and as he has done all season, captain and eighthman Jack Murday led from the front with his huge work rate.

Raiders’ try scorers were Edwards, wing Jamie Quinn, flank Shana Aue. Edwards added two  conversions and a penalty.

Gooch, meanwhile, said he would be making a decision on his coaching future on the weekend.

The Raiders after receiving their runners-up medals. Image: Joanne Cowe

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