Raiders Women’s Teams Dig Deep to Hold Top of the Table Positions

Once again this weekend the Raiders women’s teams where struggling for numbers to make up two full teams.

In the first game of the day the raiders traveled to Dorrigo to take on the second placed Highlanders. With so many players missing the Raiders where unable to find there regular cohesion against a well drilled Dorrigo side and where eventually beaten 2-1 in a hard fought game. Although beaten by Dorrigo the Raiders still retain first place on the table, just with a reduced lead. Play of the day was the goal of Deb Baigent whose thundering left foot drive left the Dorrigo keeper wondering which direction the ball was going.

After finishing their game against Dorrigo the team got into their cars for the drive over to Dairyville to take on the Orara Valley side in the first grade game.  In their first round game Urunga had recorded an easy 13-0 win at Urunga, but the girls where not taking Orara lightly with all but 2 players backing up for their second game of the day. Urunga’s back line of Kim, Gabby, Sarah & Jemima where put under pressure early but where able to stop most of the Orara Valley side attacks and any that did get through where quickly picked up by Shelby in goals.

In the 21st minute of the first half Kanisha was able to turn her defender after good lead up work from Breanna to fire her shot past the keeper to give the Raiders a 1-0 lead. Urunga continued to push forward with attacks from Kanisha, Richelle and Donna continually causing trouble for the defence and having the Orara keeper making countless saves. The first half also saw the welcome return of Crystal after a lay off with injury and a couple of more games under her belt should see her back to full match fitness.

The second half of the match saw Urunga’s midfield of Breanna , Crystal and Jemara continue to feed through balls to their forwards and in the 25th minute one of these passes found Kanisha in a sprint from half way that lead to her second goal and give Urunga some breathing space Not to be dispirited Orara continued to push balls forward, but Urunga  defence held tight and gave very few chances for Orara to score. In the final minutes of the game Breanna was rewarded for an outstanding effort the whole match when she was able to score from close range after a pass from Kanisha found her unmarked in the penalty area. A good 3-0 win to the Raiders keeps them on top of the table in first grade. A special mention goes to Sharon and Sharna who’s play when they came on from the bench was outstanding, and to Deb who made sure that all the players that where subbed off during the game had a warm bench to sit on.

Report by Ian “Goph” Connor