WHITSUNDAY HOGS BREATH CAFÉ RAIDERS v KUTTABUL CAMELBOKS @ WHITSUNDAY SPORTSPARK 5.30pm SATURDAY 21ST APRIL 2012.
RAIDERS 18 - CAMELBOKS 19
Before a large Wsy Sportspark home crowd the Hogs Breath Café Whitsunday Raiders played themselves to a standstill against Mackay early competition favorites Kuttabul Camelboks in an enthralling, climatic and entertaining match last Saturday.
The Camelboks boasting 5 senior Mackay Stinger representatives (including 2 North Qld reps), a former Fijian International at outside centre and 2 under 19's Mackay reps were pressed every minute of the game by a determined Raiders team who were playing their first competition match since early last year. With a new coach, new personnel in a new team the boys can hold their heads high and were unfortunate to lose - by a solitary point.
The game changed lead 6 times in the thriller with the Camelboks shell shocked at half time being down 0 – 3 thanks to an early penalty to Martin Roveda. Uncharacteristically Martin missed 3 penalties and a conversion for the match that would have been a help including a 51metre attempt debatably in or out, but the best teams don't rely on kickers alone to win matches and he is well excused and made up for it with a strong match from fullback.
Raiders tries came in the second half to a determined Simon Muir making a comeback to the game after a handful of seasons when he chased down through the forwards to the fullback some untidy ball and scrambled to score out wide. This was in the 48th minute only 4 minutes after the Camelboks took the lead with a converted open running try.
Unconverted the Raiders led 8-7 but not to be outdone the Boks struck back in the 58th minute to lead 12 – 8. Another penalty to Roveda pegged the score back in the 66th minute to 11-12 which set up the final 10 minutes to be a finger nail biting one.
And so it was when Raiders vice-captain Dominic Croker stepped and glided his way under the goal posts to put the locals in a commanding converted 18 – 12 lead in the 71st minute. The Raiders had broken the Boks at a critical time and looked set to defend their home ground when all the experience of the Camelboks came to the fore to score under the posts with 4 minutes to go and take the lead 19-18.
The final minutes culminated in a combination of lost opportunities for the Raiders who territorially pounded the Camelboks end and some yellow cards distributed by the referee – one to each team over this short period. In all the game was drooped by an evenly distributed 26 penalties but this in fairness may have to do with early season for all parties – including the refereeing. There were over 20 knock-ons / poor passes by both teams and the Raiders accounted for 18 missed tackles but what was wonderful was the intensity and full hearted passion the boys played with.
Coach and 5/8 for the day Hemi Taukiri said he was most happy with a first up performance against a highly credentialed side but disappointed of the result however says on the positive there is room for improvement with quite a few players unavailable too.
Bill Pratt, a veteran with over 350 club games captained the team and led from the front with a disciplined barnstorming display and the forwards including Walshy Stickler, Jason Mitchell, Zac Foxlee, Jon Fatu, Sean Condon and Blair Riley all followed Bills lead playing above themselves. Ryan Edkins, Jack Loft and Daniel Raika were in the thick of the action with terrific loose play efforts.
The classy Shannon Wolland at half back made the perfect link to his outside boys with Scott Vella and Jason Leis playing in unfamiliar positions but holding their heads high including strong defence against a team that threw the ball wide 75% of the time to their former Fijian International and others.
To be highly commended was John Williams who on the wing played his first game in 6 years - having only arrived to training on the Wednesday previous he was rushed into the team to replace Raiders English import Jordan Bamford who was sadly forced out due to a hindering knee infection. Reserves like Kon Flaherty, Jim Cochrane and Matthew Sammut added to the support crew for a successful day. A big thank you too for all those who helped out on the day.
The next game too for the HOGS BREATH CAFÉ RAIDERS is a home game versus Bowen Mudcrabs on 7pm Friday 04th May at Whitsunday Sportspark. All welcome to attend. New players always welcome to train Wednesday &; Friday nights 6pm (and Sunday this week only due to a bye for all clubs).
Full Time : Raiders 18 (tries: Simon Muir, Domonic Croker; conversion: Martin Roveda ; penalties: Martin Roveda 2)
Camelboks 19 (3 tries; 2 conversions).
Half Time : Raiders 3, Camelboks 0.
The team was : WHITSUNDAY HOGS BREATH CAFÉ RAIDERS v BOWEN MUDCRABS@ WHITSUNDAY SPORTSPARK TOP OVAL
7.15pm FRIDAY 30TH MARCH 2012.
1. Jason Mitchell
2. Simon Muir
3. Phil Stickler - Walshy
4. Sean Condon
5. Bill Pratt (captain)
6. Blair Riley
7. Ryan Edkins
8. Daniel Raika
9. Shannon Wolland
10. Hemi Taukiri
11. Jason Leis
12. Domonic Croker (vice captain)
13. Scott Vella
14. John Williams
15. Martin Roveda
Reserves
16. Zac Foxlee
17. Jim Cochrane
18. Matt Sammut
19. Jack Loft
20. Jon Fatu
21. Kon Flaherty
Coach
Hemi Taukiri
Managers
Ian Dachs, Peter Chengody
REFEREE : Steve Martland (MDRU)
LINESMAN : Rod Wilson (Wsy)
CANTEEN : Jodi Flaherty, Sharron Pratt, Barb Cochrane, Michelle Pelzer, Anna Lampar, Steve Andrew
Under 13 Ticket sellers : Madigan Dachs, James Horlein with a little help from Jack Kearns and Ayden Spence managed to raise $110 - thanks to all the supporters and the boys.
Raiders played first half running toward main road.
Penalties 13-13.
Other results : Cities defeated Bowen 50 -10 in Bowen, Slade Pt 20 defeated Brothers 18.
LEVEL 1 COACHING COURSE
The Raiders Junior and Senior club sent down budding coaches to Mackay on Sunday and completed a level 1 coaching course. Congratulations to those involved. Taking the day out for a gruelling session and improving on your rugby knowledge is great for the club. Well done to:
Craig Spence, Dave Cornish, Bill Pratt, Jim Cochrane, Kon Flaherty, Scott Hardy-Young, Scott Napier, Jacinta Kearns, Steve Ward, Brennan Baker.
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