Raiders’ head coach, Peter Tiberius Snow, brought Harry Gale into a defensive position to replace Mick McCormick for this one as the maroon and whites played a familiar tune, ball control and superb movement. And tough the Maclean side contested everything, it was not enough to thwart the Turtle though. Yes, he’s shifty, the Turts and on the right flank did enough to slip his defender and deliver a pinpoint cross for Luke France to nod in the first for the afternoon after 15 minutes of play.

It would take another 27 hard-fought minutes for the home-side to breakdown the committed Maclean defence, this time via the left flank as Fabrice Wamara fired in another cross for France to nod in for his brace. Rising on the far post like a bad dream France, as unerring as an unwelcome tax audit, made no mistake to give the Raiders a handy 2-0 advantage at the break.

With 45 minutes left in their season what could the Bobcats offer up?

Plenty of determination that’s for sure and they were rewarded on 12 minutes with a well-constructed left side move 2-1 now and the Bobcats back in it. The Raiders’ reply almost instant – this time via skipper Kale Hopper after an interchange of passes that saw Grant Homes deliver a pass for Hopper the Raiders’ captain to run onto, Hopper dodging the odd tackle of dubious intent and scored from close range to advance the score to 3-1.

The Bobcats struggling now with time ticking down, their ball control and play desperate and certainly not as measured as the Raiders, who continued to apply pressure. Grant Homes the next to score after a Tim Ruprecht long throw hit Homsey right on the shnoz and then into the net. Homes blinking back tears said it was up there with the best goals he’s ever scored – well done red bags! The final scoreline had Urunga winning their last match of the season comfortably 4-1.

In the earlier match, a closer contest saw the Raiders 2-1 winners with goals to Cale Simmonds in the first half and late penalty to Josh McGovern in the second. The reserves have had an outstanding season where they captured the Minor Premiership (by 11 points) scoring 70 goals along the way. The women’s reserves not so lucky dipping out on the weekend 1-0 to Coffs Lionesses. The first grade women though faced a must win situation at Maclean St to make the semi-finals. Though behind at the break, the team showed determination to run out 2-1 winners. Goals to Belinda Moore and an uber strike to Bree Martin.