Thrilling local derbies

By Jo Kennett

IT WAS a huge weekend of local derbies with Murwillumbah taking on Tweed Coast Raiders at Cabarita and Cudgen playing Bilambil at home in two of the most exciting games of the season.

Bilambil captain Tom Rolles said his side was lucky to get away with the win against Cudgen.

“They were up by two points after they scored two tries and got in front with about ten to go,” Rolles said.

“We scored with about five to go and got the win 22-18.

“They have had a few injuries but they have had few returns and they were a really strong side on the weekend.

“They were missing Connor Ziebell, he played for Seagulls on the weekend but they had a really strong crack.

Rolles said they had three under 18s on the bench.

“We had a lot out so it was good to give the young players an opportunity,” he said.

“We have been riddled with injuries so we have relied pretty heavily on the reggies and the 18s to get us through.

“We had Brenton Daly-Holton. Harry Fitzhugh, Tyson Donnelly and Kalani Hensby out, but we are getting a few players back this week which should be good.”

“This Sunday we play Murwillumbah at home and it’s our old boys day - their 92, 93, 2011 and last year’s grand final reunion so that should be good.”

The fourth placed Raiders were favourites against the Mustangs in tenth spot, but the Murbah boys got off to a sensational start. They scored four tries in the first 20 minutes of the game, taking them to a 22-0 lead and leaving the Raiders shell-shocked. The Raiders were scrambling to get back into the game but they managed to regroup and score.