It was a do or die scenario for both teams on Saturday, as the Kuttabul Camel Boks travelled to Whitsunday Sportspark to take on the Whitsunday Raiders.
This was going to be a battle of the titans to see who progressed into the Grand final of the MRU competition.
Kuttabul are renowned for their strength in their forward pack and the Raiders were going to have to fight hard for the win.
The scoreboard changed a few times during the first half with Kuttabul having the wind behind them, they kept forging forward, but the Raiders defence had its usual solid form and the men in green repelled numerous attacks.
The half time score being 11-10 to the visitors, thanks to a try by winger Rhys Ward and a penalty goal, as well as the conversion to Niall Clancy keeping the game tight.
With the wind at their back for the second half, the Raiders used this advantage to turn the Boks around and put pressure on their defensive line.
Niall Clancy managed to slot another penalty through the sticks around the 60-minute mark and the backs throwing the ball around with confidence, it was Rhys Ward again going over in the corner after a kick and chase that saw the Raiders take a 20-11 lead going into the last 15 minutes of the preliminary final.
With a bit of frustration coming from this pressure the Raiders were putting on the Kuttabul men, it was Niall Clancy again who put the Raiders further in front with another penalty to end the game 23 -11 victors.
So, for the third year in a row the Whitsunday Raiders find themselves in another grand final, kicking off at BB print stadium Mackay 4pm this Saturday.
The men in green hope to see all our loyal supporters and sponsors at the game to cheer then on.
Caption: Rhys Ward going in for his first of a double for the day. Photo credit: Hanny Spence Photography
