By Tania Phillips
TWEED Coast Raiders Rugby League team will take on Parkwood in the Powrgard Cup grand final at Firth Park, Mudgeeraba, on Saturday.
The game, for the Division B title will be played at 1pm.
It is a fairytale ending for the Raiders who dropped down from the main Bycroft Cup competition at the end of last year.
However coach Arwen Marcus believes it was the right move for the club which struggled in the top competition.
He said the club, which had strong junior ranks, would stay in the Powrgard Cup as it rebuilt – although the eventual aim was to return to the Bycroft.
However for the moment the first grade was made up of a great bunch of players who genuinely enjoyed playing football together.
He said the team had got off to a slow start, losing its first three games by just two point each.
“Two of the games were right on the buzzer,” he said.
“But we’ve now won nine on the trot.
“I couldn’t be any more proud. It has been all about commitment and mateship.”
He said the club’s committee included eight of the first grade players which made it an even more closeknit club.
“It is a real family club,” he said.
The Raiders will take on Parkwood in the grand final – a team they have beaten three times this year.
However Marcus said as with any final – the past counted for nothing and they would not be taking their opponents lightly.
“We know we will have to play well,” he said.
“They are a big side with a couple of big front and second rowers and a very two very clever halves. We will have to watch their half back – he could be a game breaker.”
Meanwhile on Saturday in the Bycroft Cup Tweed Heads Seagulls will take on the Currumbin Eagles in First grade and Reserves. Tweed will be playing for pride as they are out of contention for the finals in both grades, but will be looking to see out the year on a high with back to back victories.
On Sunday the Seagulls take on the Norths Devils in both FOGS Colts and the Intrust Super Cup match of the round at 2pm at Piggabeen.
The Seagulls are sitting in third position on the ISC ladder, however there is a logjam of teams just behind them and a win will be crucial to maintaining their chances of September action.
Unfancied by most at the beginning of the year, a young Tweed outfit under rookie coach Aaron Zimmerle has managed to defy the critics to be in the thick of the action with only four rounds remaining.
The match will be televised live on Channel Nine.
