JCU Mariners Vs Port Raiders
14th July 2018
With no Reserve grade game on today, Ladies Day in Port Douglas saw us take the field with a moderately strong crosswind, and a test of our depth as a Club. Thanks to the Reserve grade boys who made the effort to travel, Ryan, Gary, Bradyn, Jamie, Jordan, and Henri. Without you we couldn’t have done it.
In what is becoming a regular weekly event, we started the game with a new back line combination- Half-Fraser McBean, 10-Rob Rodokal, 12-Ryan Godfrey (normally an 8). Considering they had not even trained together, it was a terrific performance. This nearly produced our first try but for holding on to the ball a fraction too long in a draw and pass situation. Although we spent a lot of time in their half we did not score until we put points on the board from a penalty. 3 – 0. Later in the half, again from sustained attack and then going wide, the ball was spun to the winger Bradyn Boske who cleverly noted the opportunity back on the inside as the defence drifted, to half-back Fraser McBean, backing up on the inside, taking the basket-ball pass and running around in-goal to score under the posts. Converted we were up 10 – 0. With the majority of possession and field position, our forwards pressed until lock Nick Cameron drove over and with the conversion, we were up 17 – 0. Port had defended stoutly to prevent the score from being more and having gained possession came back at us to score in the corner just before half-time. Unconverted, we went to the break up 17 – 5.
The come-back spirit again showed up in the second half as the Raiders were able to match us two tries apiece. Bradley Manoi showed how dangerous he can be coming into the backline, when running onto a ball he stepped 5 defenders running 40m to score near the posts. 24 – 5. The Raiders were next to score, 24-12, and then we got our bonus point as flanker Bryce Stanley went over, but the try went unconverted, 29 – 12. In front of their home crowd, the Raiders determinedly kept going and were rewarded with the last try of the match, to finish the game at 29 – 17.
Our lineout went well and we had the dominant scrum. Rob “robdog” Rodokal played an effective hand at five-eighth, keeping it simple and structured, which enabled the backs to do what they haven’t done in a few weeks, score tries. Well done to all, as this win keeps us in second spot on the season table, 11 points clear of third, with 3 games of the regular season to play.
Man of the Match points:
Liam Duncan 3
Bradley Manoi 2
Ryan Godfrey 1
Managers Mug: Bradyn Boske
Tries:- 1 each to Fraser McBean, Nick Cameron, Bradley Manoi, Bryce Stanley
Conversions:- 3 from 4 to Bryce Stanley
Penalties:- 1 from 1 to Bryce Stanley.
“Doc” McMahon
0407053507.
