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!