The Rolling Raiders wheelchair rugby league team played their first representative match over the weekend in Shellharbour, recording a 38-10 victory.
The team played against another development representative team, made up of players from the Sydney second tier competition. Our Rolling Raiders team was very eager to play in their first representative match to show off their skills and our talent pool in the Canberra region.
Playing after the City v Country clash, the Rolling Raiders were off to a great start with Chris O’Brien scoring his first try of the game in the third minute. Soon after, Bradley Burns followed suit and scored a try in the fourth minute, and a successful conversion.
Moving into the final minutes of the first half, Zac Carl scored a hat-trick, giving his side a 22-10 lead at the half-time break.
The Sydney Development made a comeback in the second half, scoring two tries. But Raiders captain Toby Popple scored a quick try in the 29th minute, extending the Rolling Raiders lead to 26-10.
Close to the final buzzer, Chris O’Brien scored his second try of the match, making the score 32-10, before Jimmy Knight ensured his team’s win by scoring a try and a successful conversion in the 49th minute, the final score 38-10.
Rolling Raiders 38 (Tries: Chris O’Brien (8), Bradley Burns (4), Zac Carl (12), Toby Popple (4), Jaimz Knight (4) ; Goals: Bradley Burns (2), Chris O’Brien (2), Jaimz Knight (2)) def. Sydney Development team 10.
The Rolling Raiders had the help and guidance of Brad Grove, who coached the team shortly after captaining the winning Country side in their victory over City in the previous game. After the Rolling Raiders game, it was great to see the team being directed by Grove to challenge and take back their advanced skills and training to the local Canberra region competition.
The next local Canberra Region Wheelchair Rugby League competition day will be held this Sunday May 23 at the Queanbeyan Indoor Sports Centre, starting from 2pm.
The Rolling Raiders team look forward to competing in future representative games, to be played in Sydney during the year.
If you wish to find more out more information about wheelchair rugby league in the Canberra region, please do not hesitate to contact crrl@raiders.com.au.
Wheelchair Rugby League is an adaptive and all-inclusive sport in the Canberra region, for all ages, genders and abilities – for non-regular wheelchair users, and regular wheelchair users.
