Raiders trio set to miss rest of the season

Raiders sit third in the table but are nine points behind second-placed Old Albanians and a further three behind leaders Richmond, who beat Worthing 18-5 in their last match.

That defeat left Raiders’ hopes of a top-two finish out of their own hands and they will now have to see out the season without captain Matt Miles, who is suffering from a shoulder injury and a hernia, Charlie McGowan, who has a dislocated thumb, and Paul Dunckley, who is struggling with an ankle injury.

Raiders coach Kieron Dawson is disappointed to lose the trio, although admitted it might be good for the long term. Dawson said: “It’s a blow to lose them but, on the other hand, it means they can get their injuries treated now and we’ll have them fit and ready to go for the start of next season.

“A top-two finish is out of our hands now, which is the disappointing thing.

“Our destiny is out of our hands, so we’ll just go into every game relaxed, go out to enjoy it and just see what happens.

“We’ll just take every game as it comes now and will maybe blood a few youngsters to see how they do.”

Raiders return to action on Saturday when they host second-from-bottom Barnes at Roundstone Lane, with a 3pm start.