It was a big welcome to 2020 as the National League heads into business time, the Raiders took to the spiritual home of HKU Sandy Bay at Stanley Ho by the Sea to take on the toughest of assignments – competition leaders Valley Mavericks.

An undermanned Raiders had fallen short when we faced them in Happy Valley in the first round and were keen to level the ledger.

Valley’s kick off left a bit to be desired, the flyhalf kicked it less than 10 meters and the sides allowed it to run in to touch, gifting the Raiders a scrum on the halfway line. However a dominant push saw the pack forced back and the unstable platform saw the loose ball fall into Valley's hands.

Mavericks in their first meaningful use of the ball in the match, swept the ball to the right edge as they approached halfway and executed an old Randwick move with the centring kick.

The Rolls Royce of Fullbacks Tony “4 chats, same post” Scott had his engine stall and couldn’t make it to the ball on full. The bounce was kind for the Valley chasers and their midfielder screamed onto the ball to dot down in the corner. Conversion missed but a 0-5 lead to Valley in the opening minutes.

The Raiders worked into their patterns and built some field position, play shifting between halfway and the Mavericks 22. The scrum battles were intense when both sides focussed, only for the Raiders early on to relax and get punished in a big wake up call for the pack.

Jonny “Trust me darling, 6:30pm” Templeman having returned to the openside flank was leading the defensive line, giving the Mavericks inside backs no time, no space and plenty of bruises.

13 minutes in and Valley tried to play out of their own quarter one time too many, their halfback received messy ball and as he tried to clean up was smashed by his Raiders counterpart Mark “I’m Captain now” Norris. The ball spilled free and the big cat Owen “a try in every game” Pescod was there to pounce, scooping up the loose ball and loping in under the posts in one of his easier scores this season.

It looks like a New Year and the same resolution from Owen, meat pies and lots of them.

Tom “It’s too cold to take my shirt off” Mckenzie nailed the conversion from in front for Raiders to edge out to 7-5.

The next ten minutes saw both sides firing shots but not landing, the Raiders forwards were recycling well and creating a platform for the backs, Paddy ”I’m Aussie now” Balfour was setting his wide men up but the Maverick’s midfield wasn’t letting anyone through.

What space there was, was on the edges. Pete “This one’s for you” Budd making some strong breaks down the wide channels but the Mavericks cover held.

Eventually the crack came, Mckenzie making no mistake when Valley drew the ire of the referee and slotting the penalty from 30 out to take the lead to 10-5 at the 25-minute mark.

This was the catalyst to wake up the leading point scorers in the competition and Valley began to find their groove. The final ten minutes of the half saw wave after wave of Valley attack with them seemingly camped in the Raiders 22.

Twice Valley resorted to the kick through and complained about interference in the chase but the Raiders were holding firm. A concerted period of defence capped by Matt “I got this” O’Shaughnessy pulling off one of the hits of the day with a try saver in the corner stopping his opponent centimeters short.

The Raiders played it close to the line and gave away a few penalties but survived the barrage and made it to halftime with their 10-5 lead intact.

After oranges both sides ripped back into it, Raiders were a little guilty of trying to find that wide space before they’d soaked up the inside defence but in counter their line speed and pressure was forcing a lot of dropped ball from Valley.

Eventually one more knock just outside the Raiders 22 saw Valley relax and ready for another scrum – only for “11 Tries, but who’s counting” Pescod to toe the ball forward once, twice, three times and regather in the Valley 22 and race into the corner. 12 minutes into the second half and the Raiders extended their lead to 15-5. I guess we need to count to 12 now.

The arm wrestle continued with defence dominating until, James “Tell Coach, I’m an 8” Stevenson muscled his way over from in close, great reward for his excellent tight carrying all day. Another missed conversion but the Raiders had a little breathing room at 20-5 with ten to play.

Valley weren’t done, they built some territory and launched their own waves of attack to cross the white wash with five on the clock. Also missing their conversion and it was 20-10 with five left.

Both sides were chasing a bonus point now, Raiders looking for their fourth try and Valley trying to close within 7 points. Play ranged wide and neither team was ready to stop but eventually time was up and 20-10 was the final score.

Huge result for the Raiders and they’ll be looking to build in the remaining weeks.

There were notable performances right across the park. Pescod and Pony with their tries, Templeman and O’Shaughnessy with their defence.

Tom Alcorn put in the fitness over the Christmas break to turn in his strongest performance of the year capped off by a huge galloping run in the dying minutes.

Tony “Dead Eye” Falso was everywhere, he played the full 70 in the front row and was still leading the kick-chase in the dying minutes, his flat receipt of the ball in the Tip position focussing the defence and creating options for the team to play off.

After his early stutter, the Rolls Royce of Fullback’s Tony Scott found his groove, cleaning up Valley’s probing kicks, constantly supporting his inside runners and making the cleanouts when we were tackled in the wide channels.

Dayton “I’m a kicker” Riddle and Jaffa Lau stepped up from Marauders and were strong in contact.

Must thank the Captain for turning up late and playing in boxers, and the Backs Player/Coach for his two minute cameo.

The sideline support from John “Staten” Goepel, Nico “Hearts in the right place” Furze, Sean Robertson and Shaun Tibbatts was greatly appreciated. Along with those whose partners and children came down (although Jonny should maybe give his girlfriend the right kickoff time next week!)

Man of the match was Will “I’ve an award named after me” Spence who was again imperious in the air, ruling the lineout (at least when the ball had enough lob to reach him) and his cover defence was tireless.

HK Scottish are the opponents next week before the break for Lunar New Year.

Raiders 20 – 10 Mavericks

Tries: Pescod 2, Stevenson 1

Conversions: Mckenzie 1

Penalties: Mckenzie 1

MOM: Will Spence
DOD: Josh “you blokes have got this” Wrafter