SPORTS DIGEST: Raiders bring the heat in bruising encounter

The Reef Raiders have held on to claim a stirring two-point win against Barron Trinity Bulls in a thrilling game of hard-fought rugby union.

Tensions ran high through the crowd of a few hundred fans on a boiling Saturday afternoon in Port Douglas as both sides pushed dangerously close to the try line numerous times in the first half, but could not quite drive over.

Both sides got within touching distance of the line, and missed several gettable penalty-kick opportunities, but at half time the score remained 0-0.

The stalemate was soon broken in the second half, however, when the Bulls made a solid run down the grandstand wing to force their way across the line.

But another missed kick - this one more difficult than some of the first-half efforts - put the score on 5-0 and left the gate ajar for the Raiders.

And not long later the Port Douglas side threw that gate open, breaking through the Barron defence to propel left wing Harry Davis across the line to score.

As the large crowd held their collective breaths, replacement kicker Luke Edwards finally slotted home with the boot for the Raiders to nudge into the lead, 7-5.

From there the team had to knuckle down and hold on as the stifling heat and physical game took its toll.

Captain/coach Richard Johnston said it is one of the proudest victories he has experienced at the club.

“It was excellent, one of the hardest games I’ve been involved in for a long time,” Johnston said.

The heat and humidity played a big part in the game, he said.

“It was one of the hottest games I’ve ever been involved in.

“I’m super proud of the boys.”

Johnston said the best players included scrum-half Thomas Paris and big front rower Maika Raivaroro.

The Port Douglas Reef Raiders are away to Cairns Wanderers next Saturday, April 12, from 5pm.

The Mossman Sharks have fallen agonisingly short against the Cairns Brothers in Far North Queensland Rugby League, going down 12-11 at home.

The Sharks started slowly, conceding two tries in the first half, with one of those converted by Brothers to post a 10-0 scoreline early in the game.

Following that, the Sharks lifted, with left-side centre Caynin Yeatman crossing the try line to bring the score back to 10-4, but kicker David Lui could not convert, with that finishing up as the half-time score.

The Sharks continued to press in the second half, but ultimately finished just a point short of Brothers in a thrilling finish for the large crowd gathered at Coronation Park in Mossman.

Mossman next faces Mareeba Gladiators away on Sunday, April 13, at 3pm.