Category: Seniors

Northern Storm’s Scott Tarlington broke a few hearts last weekend at the Cabbage Patch, his last gasp equaliser stole the Raiders sunshine leveling the scores at 1-1 and not enough time left for the Raiders to do much about it. On the back of some desperate attacking from Jamie Kennedy, who’d been a thorn in the Raiders side all afternoon, Tarlington whipped his shot past Raiders Lee Kennedy from close range in the 84th minute gathering a goal, a share of the points and definitely the upset of the round for the Storm.

It didn’t quite look as clear cut after the first half though, the stuttering Raider attack began to look more fluid as the half progressed, crosses were taunting the Storm’s keeper Marcus Woschitzka. After Craig Simpson bounced his header of the cross bar Urunga struck home via the ginger bread man Jai Waddick. Asama Radford had fired in a low cross in the shadows of halftime and Waddick hit it into the net like he was teeing off on the first at Royal Urunga hoping to hit the green on the drive! (it’s a big hit) Fabrice Wamara might’ve had the sides in the sheds with Urunga 2 up had his aim been a tad lower shortly thereafter not to be though and at 1-0 the 8th placed Storm were absolutely still in it.

There were plenty of opportunities for the Raiders to put this one to bed but they just couldn’t find the correct sequence of passes, perhaps missing the silky touch of Tim Rupprecht who was on an urgent modelling assignment. Credit too to Storm’s head of defence Nathan Parkins stepping into some big shoes with Nathan Skinner sidelined with a hamstring bingle, Parkins tipping the scales at well above the 100 kilo mark was solid as a rock for the visitors.

The final result of 1-1 on a day where the two clubs celebrate the memory of Rachel and Dixie Erlandsen who so tragically lost their lives in 2015. Dixie then president of the Urunga Raiders would also be seen working with the Northern Storm in the canteen or wherever she was needed which I think is the essence of the game to help and not hinder.

In other results the Raiders reserve grade fought back from 2 down to win 3-2 Cale Hopper a hat trick. The Urunga women’s first grade dominated Orara Valley 12-2 goals to most of the team in that one. This weekend the Raiders will at Dairyville V Orara Valley on Saturday at 4pm, bring a jumper and a camera- the sunsets there are awesome.
Go you Raiders!

The waxing gibbous moon rising over Barnier Park last weekend did little to ameliorate the players comfort as they faced off for round 11 of the North Coast Premier League Football competition. At a nut tightening 8.10 C spectators were few and far between I can report a bit sad really because but the football was a credit to both teams.
The Tigers defended with resolve of a side that has seen victory only twice in 2017 and it would 29 minutes before the Raiders netted the first of the night via the right foot of Fabrice Wamara and that from close range. Wamara followed that up with a well-timed header at the end of fast Raider attack to have the sides in the sheds the Raiders a handy 2-0 lead.
On the back of about 80 percent possession the Urunga side might’ve expected a more convincing score line and certainly against some other sides it would’ve been. The Tigers hit back at the start of the second half to have the scores at 2-1, not in the Raider’s coach Paul Pomroy’s plan at all. Just a good individual effort from Jordan Newman who can run like the wind blows his shot ricocheting off the far post into the Raider’s net look they just couldn’t catch the fleet footed Newman. It would be the closest the Tigers could get though as Fabrice Wamara gathered his hat trick 25 minutes from full time, Tim Ruprecht added another for 4-1 but the goal of the match goes to Jake Leslie. Gathering the ball in his own half Leslie darted inside one defender the ball sitting up nicely for him to hit a speculator that dipped into the Tigers net for 5-1 a strike Leslie will savor for some time. A solid result against an improving side for the Raiders who won’t have much time to dwell on that win as they will play a midweek catch up game V the table topping Orara Valley Dingoes on Tuesday (11/7) night at the Cabbage Patch with kickoffs at 6 and 8pm.
In other results the men’s Reserve Grade an emphatic 5-0 win, Jack Martin a hat trick hero, Grant Homes 1 and the Shark 1. The women played Boambee Bombers who are current leaders of the women’s competition and went down 2-0.
Go you Raiders!

The Urunga Raiders could’ve dropped out of the top four of the North Coast Hotel Group Premier League last weekend had results not gone their way. Sitting in fourth position largely due to the fact they have two matches in hand (V Orara Valley this weekend and Coffs Tigers sometime ahead) it perhaps shone a larger light on this match V Maclean Bobcats. The Cats an improving outfit for sure sitting in 6th position and looking to upset Paul Pomroy’s Raiders at the Cabbage Patch no easy task one would have to consult the archives to find tout the last time that happened. History doesn’t dictate the future and the Bobcats shot out of the blocks on that svelte surface of the Cabbage Patch.
The Raiders without several players for this one (Lockie Indian Manning, Cale Hopper, and Tim Rupprecht) feeling early heat as the Bobcats closed down most attacking forays by the home side and referee Dave Connor doing well not to throw out a few early yellow cards as the Cats thundered in–but that would come later. First real chance fell to the Ginger Bread Man-Jai Waddick after Ben Dooley threaded a neat ball across the Cats goal and Waddick under immediate pressure fizzed his shot wide. It all came at the end of some fast Raider work Grant Homes and Craig Turtle opening up a half chance midfield and Dooley able to capitalise on the gap. Few other chances presented in the first 45 with both sides working hard but you could sense the stretching of an increasingly desperate Maclean defence on a number of occasions. However at the beak it was a 0-0, the second half but a pup before the Bobcats had their best opportunity of the match a long ball not dealt with by the Raiders backs and the ensuing left side cross found the Cats forward who absolutely nailed his shot but Lee Kennedy leaping to his right good enough to parry the strike. And that was as close as the Cats got, the home side gained a larger share of the ball and increasingly the Bobcats defending inside their own half. Tanjil Everrett the orchestrator of the first goal finding Josh McGovern who’d run diagonally across the Cats defenders. Everrett’s pass enticing the Bobcats keeper out but Macca, look he’s like a dog in a butcher’s shop in these situations and took off after the ball like it was a tasty pork chop, he got their first pushed the ball around the keeper who then collided with McGovern. Dave Connor in position pointed to the spot as McGovern got up only to be pushed back down by an irate Cats keeper claiming Macca had dived. It wouldn’t be the first time the Mac Daddy had kissed the turf after a slight touch but not this time, the keeper had misjudged and Macca was too quick and Mr Connor changed his aim from the spot to the sheds, the Cats down to 10. The replacement keepers first touch was to pick the ball out of the net, McGovern converting the penalty and the Raiders 1 to the good.
The final 30 minutes or so had the Bobcats battling hard but the contest over after Jake Lesie fired in a cross for Ben Dooley to slide into the Mclean net. Sustained Raider pressure now, the yellow cards flicking out of Dave Connors pocket at regular intervals and perhaps the sides thinking about a frostie back at the OVH.
Final score 2-0, Pomroy commenting post-match ‘that while he was pleased with the result and the efforts of an adjusted sided the finishing in the final 20 minutes needs to be more clinical’, sage words indeed as the Raiders look to this weekend where they will play one their catch up matches V Coffs Tigers and that should be just the way to enjoy a long weekend, see you there!
In other results the Raiders reserve grade spent several hours in the room of mirrors sans clothes having a good look at themselves after a 6-2 drubbing, coach Campbell unable to comment post match. The Women’s sides a good weekend the ressies drawing with Nambucca 0-0 while first grade 4-1 winners over Coffs Tigers and playing solid football.

It’s a game that never disappoints, the Raiders V Coffs Lions, this time at Maclean Street on a slippery pitch courtesy of the rain that had dogged the Reserve Grade fixture (won by Coffs 4-0). A game that’s not for sheep stations ok, but it felt like it from the get go, Dave Thorn in his favoured periwinkle blue tunic had the sides playing at the stroke of three. The sides probing and testing each other in the early stages, fast ball movement and adjustment of defences from both sides made it obvious that any goal would be at a premium. The first possibility fell to Tim Rupprecht after 19 minutes, the ball had deceived Tom Hauville a Coffs Defender skidding off the pitch, his touch heavy and Rupprecht gathering the crumbs faster than a politician at a buffet. Rupprecth pushed the ball forward 1v1 now with Josh Wiseman the Lions keeper shooting from close range but the shot deflecting off Wiseman’s leg for a corner.
It set the stage for a period of Raider pressure that really lasted for the remainder of the first half and I can say it didn’t sit well with the Lions. Bereft of ball they struggled to contain an urgent Raiders outfit and when they did get the ball turned it over fairly quickly. The Lion’s Lorenzo Rigoni carded on 43 minutes after a series of tackles of dubious intent and from a Jacob Leslie free kick the Urunga side were on the board. The ensuing Leslie free kick fairly distant but the accuracy sublime and Lockie Indian-Manning’s awareness and far post finish clinical, look he doesn’t score many goals but this one sent him on a lap of Maclean street and surrounding districts. The Raiders 1 up at the break.
The second half just as tense as the first, perhaps the Lions with a more even share of possession than the first Nick Lambert making Coffs intentions clear early after he pounced on a ball and fired just wide, and that after just 4 minutes. Enter Dut Garang after 11 minutes and the energy he provides putting pressure on defenders or simply running at the right angles and the Raiders found his presence unsettling. From an innocuous left side incident close to half way perhaps the ball contested a little too fiercely by the Raiders defence, Referee Thorn awards the Lions a free kick. It was a déjà vu moment for me as Aaron Allsop stepped up and hit a cross/shot that floated out of the sun (such is the orientation of Maclean Street oval) and into the Raiders net for 1-1. Anyone’s game now, the Lions buoyant after the Allsop goal and the Raiders feeling the Maclean Street heat but neither side able to land that match winning goal. Nick Lambert came close though in the dying minutes, Tanjil Everret had slipped on the greasy surface and with legs akimbo jatz crackers resting on that cool Maclean street turf all Everret could do was watch as Lambert advanced on goal. Usually a marksman of some repute but not this time as Lee Kennedy narrowed his angle and Lambert fired wide. I think on balance a just result at 1-1, either side might have won it but that’s what makes the Coffs V Lions matches so good and I can’t wait for the return at the Cabbage Patch!
In other results The Raiders Ressies got pumped 4-0 by the Lions and they will need to aim a little higher as the season progresses, the women though delivering an eye watering 7-1 flogging to Coffs ladies while the Raiders women’s Ressies also went down 4-0.
Go you Raiders!!

North Coast Hotel Group Premier League
Urunga Raiders V Sawtell Scorpions Rnd 6
The table topping Sawtell Scorpions may still be scratching their collective carapaces thinking about just what they could have done to thwart the 6-1 drubbing that the Raiders handed out last weekend on the svelte surface of the Cabbage Patch for round 6 of the North Coast Men’s Premier League. They’d played five games so far, 4 wins and one draw, perhaps some opponents of dubious quality for sure but 3-2 over Coffs Tigers and 0-0 V Bombers they most certainly are a different side to 2016 where they were regularly flogged by all and sundry. At the start they looked to have the measure of Paul Pomroy’s Raiders, good shape and adjustment as the Raiders moved the ball around but it was all smoke and mirrors. Jacob Leslie from left back whacked a pass for Ben Dooley to deflect past over an over eager defender Leslie who had continued his run collected the ball and slotted the finest goal that ever left his boot on 15 minutes, Brody Olabarriaga the Scorpions keeper left grasping at the trial of the out swinging Leslie strike.
The Raiders 1 up early at home, the Scorpions blinked and just went back to the business a testament to the new attitude of the green and whites, moving the ball where they could but not really getting their main strike weapon Luke Troy France into the positions that hurt oppositions and I suppose credit due to the Raider’s Tanjil Everrett, Mick McCormick and Jake Leslie for restricting France to only glimpses of the ball and then under pressure.
Leslie gathered his brace on 31 minutes, again chiming in with Ben Dooley, who’d held the ball up and I mean he was stationary, in-situ just still and the defending scorpions closed in eager to get a piece of Dooley but as he rolled off one defender a small gap appeared and Dools sent a well weighted pass for Jacob Leslie to collect and fire in his second for the day in quick time.
It was the Raiders 2 up at the break and the home side looking ominous but the Scorpions are made of sterner stuff this season and certainly possess more quality with the likes of Hayden Purkiss and Xavier Sproule sure to make their mark as the season progresses. Fabrice Wamara so close at the start of the second half thumping a volley off the Scorpions crossbar, the home side making it 3 up shortly after after Tim Rupprecht gathered a poorly hit pass and good enough to find a way past Olabarriaga. The Raiders went on to score three more, Lachie Indian Manning cleaver header for number 4, the penultimate goal for the Raiders to Ben Dooley after Cale Hopper had fired in a cross for Dooley to meet mid-air and twist guiding the ball into the net with his trailing leg completely deceiving Olabarriaga sublime piece of skill, the final goal to Cale Hopper a dead set shoss that one (cross that turns into a shot) for 6. Scorpions a late consolation goal to the mercurial Jackson Petrie who hit a tracer like shot past Lee Kennedy to produce a final score line of 6-1. Good win for Pomroy’s Raiders as they now look to this weekend where they’ll face the Lions at Maclean street in a 2016 grand final replay, kick-off at 2pm Sunday – look you just have to be there!

In other results the Reserve grade fixture was won by the Raiders a hard fought 2-1 win both goals to Joe Pettit who really enjoyed the eighty-seven minutes he played, Matty Marsden, Grant Homes and Jack Myers all with solid performances. The women’s Reserves down 2-1 to Sawtell in a much improved performance and the first grade smashed Orara scoring 11 unanswered goals.
Go you Raiders!