TTM Canberra Raiders Cup: Round 14 Wrap Up

Queanbeyan Blues (1) 60 defeated Belconnen United Scholars (8) 16 at O’Connor

The Queanbeyan Blues flexed their muscles in the final round of the regular season to thrash Belconnen United by 44-points.

Queanbeyan, the defending premiers of the TTM Canberra Raiders Cup, simply outclassed their opponents in the 11-tries-to-three win.

The resounding victory by the Blues gave them back-to-back wins leading into the finals but more importantly sealed the Minor Premiership for the second successive season.

Whilst on the other hand, the loss saw the Scholars finish with the wooden spoon in a forgettable year for the 2012 premiers.

Adam Misios and Tom Ruediger both scored doubles for the Blues whilst goal-kicking winger Craig Wilkinson registered a personal haul of 20 points through one try and eight conversions.

Queanbeyan Blues 60  (A Misios 2, T Ruediger 2, J Wheeler, C Wilkinson, D Pangai, J Woolford, K Sione, M Cullen, J Farnhill tries; C Wilkinson 8 goals) defeated Belconnen United 16  (R Allen jnr, J Lafaele, C Purcell tries M Mapiou 2 goals)

West Belconnen Warriors (4) 52 defeated Tuggeranong Bushrangers (7) 22 at Greenway

West Belconnen has continued their eye catching form by defeating Tuggeranong by 30 points at Greenway, which was the club’s sixth win in a row.

After an inconsistent start to the year, the Warriors have the other premiership contenders looking over their shoulder due to their run of form, which has included defeats over both of last year’s Grand Finalists.

Starring in the win over the Bushrangers was Warriors outside back Dwayne Ewings who posted a hat-trick of tries, whilst fullback Ryan McQueen continued his rare try scoring form with his 10^th try in the last five games.

West Belconnen’s big pack of forwards was too much to handle for the brave Tuggeranong pack, and the Warriors’ backline subsequently capitalised.

The victory by the Warriors sees them secure fourth spot on the ladder and given their purple patch of form, they will be very tough to beat in this year’s semi-finals series

The loss ends a disappointing year for Tuggeranong, with the Bushrangers finishing the year in seventh place on the ladder.

West Belconnen Warriors 52  (D Ewings 3, R McQueen, J Faletagoai, T Aroha-Tuinauvai, H Brown, T Freeman-Quay, J Baker, S Lomax tries; H Brown 3, B Graham 3 goals) defeated Tuggeranong Bushrangers 22  (J Pollard, L Hurst, M Gruber, S Blayden tries; L Hurst 3 goals)

Queanbeyan Kangaroos (3) 36 defeated Woden Valley Rams (6) at Freebody Oval

Queanbeyan has bounced back from last week’s disappointing loss to Goulburn by trumping an emotionally charged Woden outfit by 30 points at home.

The Rams were motivated to send their beloved Captain Josh Burns out a winner after the halfback made the call to hang up the boots after 14 seasons at the club.

But with the Roos looking to regain their form and build some momentum leading into the semi-finals, the Rams were unfortunately overpowered by a tenacious Roos forward pack.

Starring for Queanbeyan was electric fullback Bryan Cronan who stepped up in place of the reigning Les McIntyre Medallist Jordan Macey, who missed the match with a shoulder injury.

Cronan scored two pivotal tries in the first half to set up an 18-4 lead for the Roos and drew specific praise from Captain-Coach Aaron Gorrell after the match.

"I think he's by far the best fullback in the comp," Gorrell said. 

"He's been one of our best every game this year. He brings it back second to none, his field position is getting a lot better and he's hard to handle for most sides when he runs those good lines.

"I think he's been a revelation for us." 

The loss of Macey impacted on the Roos’ execution in attack, however Gorrell was pleased to have the side’s ruthless attitude back.

"Our attitude was back, it was just our execution at times, but I guess that's half expected with no Macey in the halves," Gorrell said. 

"He could have played this week, but we just gave him this week to freshen up and he'll be 100 per cent for the finals." 

Meanwhile, the loss sees the end to Woden’s season and the end of Burns on the field, however Coach Ash Barnes is hopeful that he won’t be lost to the Rams, who have a bright future ahead of them given the young stars that have emerged and gained experience throughout 2015.

"He's so respected by all the boys and I'd really like him to be Assistant Coach next year, I think he'd do a great job," Barnes said. 

"He's been captain since 2009, the boys love him and all the attributes he brings. 

"They were very upset they didn't get the win for him, they would have loved to have sent him out on a good note."

Queanbeyan Kangaroos 36  (B Cronan 2, M Adam, S Meke, J Miller, J Pearce tries; J Miller 6 goals) defeated Woden Valley Rams 12  (J White, T Crome, E Jenkins tries)

Goulburn Workers Bulldogs 54 defeated Gungahlin Bulls 24 at Goulburn Workers Arena

Goulburn has secured second place on the ladder after a 30-point victory over Gungahlin at home.

A finish in the top two provides the top two teams with an extra chance in the semi-finals, something which is of course of vital importance.

Secondly, the triumph allows the Bulldogs to continue their momentum leading into the semi-finals after an up-and-down month of form prior to their back-to-back wins.

Punctuating their inconsistency over the last month for Goulburn has been injuries to key players, however the Bulldogs have since welcomed back star fullback Michael Bani from a dislocated shoulder and the hard-working Brad Hewitt.

“We've had a horror run with injuries and we’re slowly getting blokes back week by week,” said Bulldogs Captain-Coach Mick Picker, who scored a try in the win.

“I don't think our up-and-down month was the worst thing in the world to happen. Sometimes, if you're winning every week you get complacent. We’re building well into the finals now though following the back-to-back wins.”

In just his second game back from injury, Bani starred for Goulburn with two slashing tries, whilst Canberra Region Representative Ben Picker was another stand-out with the wily hooker registering a personal haul of 22 points through two tries and seven conversions.

Goulburn Workers Bulldogs 54  (M Bani 2, B Picker 2, T Turner, C Medway, B Marmont, M Picker, B Hewitt, J Day tries B Picker 7 goals) defeated Gungahlin Bulls 24  (R O’Sullivan 2, C Thorley 2, T Munokoa tries C Thorley 2 goals)