Round Two of the Mackay Rugby Union competition got under way at the Whitsunday Sportspark last Saturday and saw the Proserpine Whitsunday Raiders take on southern neighbours the Kuttabul Camel Boks.
Last time the two teams met was last year’s semi-final.
Whitsunday Raiders took an early lead with a penalty goal from Jack Briskey in the fourth minute and then another penalty goal by Niall Clancy in the ninth minute.
Kuttabul has always had a big physical presence up front in the forwards and Saturday was no exemption. The Raiders tight five were not going to be intimidated by this physical presence and showed this at the breakdowns as well as the scrums.
It took 23 minutes before the Raiders showed some fast feet and great ball control which saw young Niall Clancy go over for the first five-pointer.
Just before the half time break Raiders number 8 Waikato Nepia-Katipa crossed the line for the Raiders second five-pointer.
This gave the home team a 16 point half time lead in the hot humid conditions.
During the second half the Kuttabul men showed a bit of stamina and managed to break the Raiders line for a seven-pointer but with two minutes to go the Raiders long term work horse and captain Cameron Meurant crossed for his first try for the year to give the home team a 21-7 win.
Contributed with thanks to Craig Spence
Proserpine Whitsunday Raiders player Sam Crane on the run
Raiders forwards marauding the ball up field
