Raiders crowned NSW Wheelchair Rugby League Champions

Sunday at the Menai Indoor Sports Centre saw the culmination of the 2014/15 NSW Wheelchair Rugby League competition.

The day began with the play offs to determine the teams that would battle out the Plate and Cup finals.

In the Plate section Parramatta Eels defeated the Penrith Panthers and the Sydney Roosters defeated the Cronulla Sharks. While in the Cup section the Canberra Raiders defeated the 2013/14 premiers St George Illawarra Dragons and the Newcastle Knights defeated the Canterbury Bulldogs to advance to the final.

The Plate final was a high quality game in which the lead change several times throughout the match. With only a couple of points separating the two teams at half time the game boiled down to which team was going to make the most of any opportunities that may come their way. In a very tough and highly entertaining second half the Sydney Roosters finally came out on top of a gallant Parramatta Eels outfit 52 to 38.

With such a great game as a lead in to the cup final expirations were high for a quality game and none were to be let down. In a torrid first half both teams had periods of domination. First the Raiders scored 2 quick tries only to see the Knights fight back with 2 of their own. From that point on until half time the match was try for try.

In a repeat of the first half the Raiders opened the second half at a cracking pace and were able to skip away but to the Knights credit they were able to get within 4 points of the Raiders mid-way through the half. However the Raiders were not about to let their first ever chance at a title slip away and powered away to sizeable break. With only a short time left in the half the Knights threw everything at the Raiders. In some desperation defence the Raiders were able to hold off the Knights till the final minute of play to register a 52 to 30 victory.

In the post-match presentations Raiders captain Mohammed Chemaissem scooped the pool receiving the Jeremy Doyle award for the player of the final scoring 6 tries and 8 goals. He then received awards for the most tries scored & most goals scored in the season and finally top point scorer.