A last minute penalty conversion has seen the West Belconnen Warriors edge out title-favourites Queanbeyan Kangaroo, to win 26-24 in the 2016 Canberra Raiders Cup grand final.
A late shoulder charge by Kangaroos five-eighth Brent Crisp gifted the Warriors an opportunity to seize the game before extra time. Les McIntyre Medal winner Bobby Roberts calmly stepped up to the plate, kicking the conversion to reward the Warriors with their first premiership in nine years.
The Kangaroos led 18-6 at the break, but a mix of decisional errors and unrelenting attack by the Warriors resulted in the Queanbeyan side losing their first match since Round 2.
The Warriors pulled back the half-time deficit through tries to Ryan McQueen and man of the match Tevita Aroha-Tuinauva, who scored a double.
With nine minutes left, Kangaroos halfback Lachlan Cooper gambled an attempt at the line, instead of taking a field goal which might have decided the game.
Game-winner Roberts said the Warriors knew if they turned up to play they could win.
"On our day, we just proved we can beat anyone, and we went that way. We're on top of the world," Roberts said.
"They've [Kangaroos] had a great season and credit to them, but every side's beatable.”
West Belconnen coach Troy Thompson praised Roberts for his ability to show up in the dying minutes.
"He just seems to have the knack for just doing something crazy and it's unbelievable," Thompson said.
Thompson sympathised with Queanbeyan for losing their dominant season in regrettable circumstances.
"Having a shoulder charge is probably a bad way to end for [the Roos] because they've been a great side all year. But we've just got to take that. It's unbelievable." Thompson said.
Full results from Sunday:
UNDER 18s
TUGGERANONG 16 C Shingles, L Oakley, J Knight tries J Heyman 2 goals
Defeated
WEST BELCONNEN 12 K Jensen, K Laundess tries L Keeley 2 goals
Player of the Match: Chris Shingles (Tuggeranong)
RUSSELL KENNEDY LAWYERS LADIES LEAGUE TAG GRAND FINAL
BELCONNEN UNITED SHARKS 20 F Cooper, J Abel, S Carrter, M Shevlin tries M Shevlin 2 goals
Defeated
TUGGERANONG 4 C Welch try
Player of the Match: Renee Fleming
RESERVE GRADE
QUEANBEYAN BLUES 34 S Camaivuna, J Lenihan, T Jamieson, I Ngata, L Ahovisi, J Stuckey tries S taholo 3, F Skeen 2 goals
Defeated
TUGGERANONG BUSHRANGERS 16 A Wilkins, J Bramley, R Sheffield tries M O’Malveney 2 goals
Player of the Match: Phil Stonham (Queanbeyan Blues)
FIRST GRADE
WEST BELCONNEN 26 T Aroha-Tuinauvai 2, R McQueen, S Finnegan tries R Roberts 5 goals
Defeated
QUEANBEYAN KANGAROOS 24 T Williams, K Parsons, J Pearce, T Whiley tries B Crisp 4 goals
Player of the Match: Tevita Aroha-Tuinauvai
