The Whitsunday Sports Park and Proserpine Whitsunday Raiders hosted four games of rugby union last Saturday for the ANZAC round of the Mackay Rugby Union competition.
The ANZAC Round featured two Moranbah Bulls’ teams, with the Kuttabul Camel Boks, Mackay City Redmen, and the Bowen Mudcrabs, and Mackay Brothers bringing a team each.
For the first time in some time, the Raiders were able to field two teams as well – it was a serious weekend of football.
The day started with a Welcome to Country ceremony by local elder Uncle Harold before the Bulls second XV took on the Raiders second XV.
A cracker game ensued with Raiders coming away with a 25-10 victory, and the shadow players each getting a great hit out.
The next match was between Brothers and last year’s premiers, Bowen Mudcrabs. The Muddies come away with their second win of the season, after a forfeit from Kuttabul last week, and the 52-21 score does not indicate the games true nature.
Bowen had the first half ascendancy but Brothers fought back in the second half to score their 21 points.
Airlie Beach RSL subbranch treasurer John Schweitzer then took the microphone to deliver The Ode for all fallen ANZAC men and women. Young Ethan Smith from Proserpine State high then performed the Last Post and Revelle.
At the completion of the anthems, the game of the day kicked off between the Bulls and the Raiders.
The top of the table clash lived up to the hype with the Bulls leading 12-10 at the break and coming away eventual winners 26-20.
Finally, the Kuttabul boys took on the hot favourites, Mackay Cities, and found themselves ahead at half time 14-10.
The halftime break saw them find another gear and they ran away 50-10 winners of the final game for the day.
Contributed with thanks to Craig Spence
The Whitsunday Sportspark hosted an enormous round of Rugby Union last weekend
