Rivals to keep Raiders on hop

PORT Douglas are on top of the FNQ Rugby table but the Reef Raiders aren’t getting carried away just yet.

The boys from the north smashed the defending champion JCU Mariners 25-7 in their midweek clash in Port Douglas, and now enjoy a four-point lead atop the Agrade ladder.

While the win was predicted by many, in part due to the hour-long bus trip, the margin surprised a few onlookers as the home side ground the fancied Mariners into submission.

But Port Douglas captain Jack Murday didn’t cite the schedule when asked about the triumph, their fifth of the season.

“We have been good in patches in other games this year but we finally put it together for the full 80 minutes,” Murday said.

“It was a physical game, as is to be expected, and I don’t think anyone had the perfect preparation with the quick turnaround. But it was our most complete performance of the year.”

Every team is in the midst of a tough schedule, with three games in eight days as a result of the grand final being brought forward a week.

JCU were the biggest losers in the draw restructure, forced to embark on the longest road trip in the competition on a Wednesday night when most would be at home after work.

But the Mariners aren’t a club to make excuses, and while they finished on the wrong end of the scoreline they sit second, and are in a good position to defend their title.

Port Douglas’s task doesn’t get easier, as they prepare for a trip to Jones Park to face a Wanderers outfit smarting after a shock loss to cellar dwellers Brothers.

The quick turnaround and Wanderers’ surprise 26-15 loss has Murday expecting a determined Green Machine on Saturday afternoon, and when he spoke to the Cairns Post was unsure who will make the trip.

“They’re going to bounce back from that,” Murday said.

“I don’t think it hurts their confidence at all. They didn’t have their strongest side in that game and they’ll be dangerous.’’

“A few of the guys are a bit sore but we’ve had a bit of a rotation going for this patch.

“We’ll see how everyone pulls up before Saturday.”