Round 17 of the Mackay Rugby Union season saw the Mama Africa Raiders host Brothers Mackay at their home grounds in Jubilee Pocket.
The game was also a family day for the club’s supporters and families to bring the kids down to get their face painted or dive into the jumping castle, all while enjoying the rugby fraternity.
The Raiders and Mackay Brothers traditionally have a good, solid tussle across the paddock and the Raiders found themselves deep in their own half from the first kick.
Brothers had the stiff breeze behind them and were holding the home boys in their own half for the first couple of minutes until outside centre Enalaki Faataape broke the defensive line, ran forty and off loaded to winger Jack Briskey for the first five pointer of the game.
Fullback Aden Spence followed six minutes later with a forty-metre solo effort, stepping through the defence and running away to place the ball under the posts.
10 minutes in and the Mama Africa Raiders were 12-0 up.
Brothers were making the Raiders fight for ball security and ruck possession throughout the game and at half time the Raiders were 29-7 leaders.
With the second-half breeze at their backs, the Mama Africa Raiders continued to control the game and ran out eventual winners 48-14.
Try scorers for the Raiders were Jack Briskey (2), Aden Spence, Kainoa Close-Houston(2), Nathan Williams, Enalaki faataape and Dylan Hoffmann. Niall Clancy kicked 4 conversions
Coach Andre Houston said after the game that the boys are “building well towards the business end of the season producing some quality tries, tough defence and working well together.”
“They are definitely looking forward to next weekend’s game against Bowen,” he said.
The home game for Bowen will be the third and final game in the inaugural Eclipse Financial Management cup played between these two sides in conjunction with the regular MRU season.
Player points of the day went to pro forward Shanun ‘Hank’ Naske 1pt, outside centre Enalaki ‘Lucky’ Faataape 2pts and fullback Aden Spence 3pts
Contributed with thanks to Craig Spence
Raiders took on Brothers at home, cruising to a Round 17 victory after an early tussle
Brothers hadn’t made it an easy first half, packing on the pressure, but Raiders never lost their heads
The home side maintained their lead for the entirety, despite Brothers best efforts
Images: Hanny Spence
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