RAIDERS SECURE THEIR PLACE IN THE FINAL

Inverclyde Raiders dug deep into their reserves in Norwich at the weekend in their fifth leg of the BYAFA Junior Kitted League and clinched their place in next month’s final, with one tournament remaining.

Having led the league standings for this season, it was important for the Raiders to make the trip down south and get the points needed in order for them to hold on to the top spot and give them momentum ahead of the Inverclyde Bowl on August 28th as well as book their place in the Championship Final in Birmingham on September 11th.

Their first game against the Yorkshire Rams proved to be fast and furious, where the Rams had the first play and charged into the Raiders defence only to find themselves all on the ground and losing six yards in the attempt.

Yorkshire tried everything in the book to get through the Raiders rear guard, which they only managed twice during the whole game, but were denied the extra points on both occasions.

Meanwhile on the other side of the ball, the Raiders offence gave Yorkshire a torrid time during the game racking up seven touchdowns, resulting in an overwhelming 51 - 12 to the Raiders with Inverclyde’s Christian Barry winning the MVP award of the game scoring 4 of the 7 touchdowns.

In the second game, the Norwich Devils managed to take an early lead, but in the end suffered a similar fate and in the same style to the first game which ended 42 - 18 to the Raiders with the Raiders David Carney winning the MVP award.

But by this time the Raiders injury list was growing and the danger bells were beginning to ring.

By the time the Raiders got to their final game of the tournament against the PA Knights from London they were only able to field the minimum number of players allowed to start a game.

And by half time they were only able to field the minimum number to make a team and this included their two rookies Paul McCann and Paul Mahon who turned in a respectable debut in their first tournament in Raiders colours.
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Despite a brave performance from the Scots, the game ended with a 28 - 12 victory to the PA Knights, earning praise from their General Manager Al Douglas, who also paid tribute to their sponsor, who made the trip sown south possible.

He said: “Having played in four tournaments in England already this year, the Norwich Bowl was beginning to look like a bridge too far for the team and our bank book.”

“But the boys knew what was at stake and our sponsor dug deeper into his pocket to make it happen.”

”The result is, we got the points we were after, we have secured our place in the final and we go into the Inverclyde Bowl with a two point lead and every opportunity to win the league cup.”

He added: “But more important was the grit and determination from the boys to get these points and although we lost to the Knights the boys refused to throw in the towel.”

“Every one of them played their hearts out right to the end and gave the Knights their toughest job of the whole championship so far, but if they think that was tough, wait until the boys are playing on their home turf - This will be something to watch.”

The Raiders would like to thank their sponsor Mr John Peberdy, Managing Director of Fraoch Services LTD for his continued support.

If any family and friends of the Inverclyde Raiders would like to travel with the team to the Final please contact Alistair Douglas on 01475 520506.

PIC C/O INVERCLYDE RAIDERS