Tuggeranong Bushrangers 34 (Tries: J Papalii, D Ewings 2, M Uluakiola, Q Cannon, S Fetuani; Goals: J Mitchell, D Ewings 4) d West Belconnen Warriors 18 (Tries: C Thorley, H Brown, A Greenwood; Goals: R Roberts 3)
The race for the top four took another twist on Sunday afternoon as the Tuggeranong Bushrangers defeated the West Belconnen Warriors 34-18.
Entering the match two points behind the fourth placed Warriors, Tuggeranong knew they needed a win to keep their season alive.
After the opening fifteen minutes of the match, it appeared that their season would be over as the Warriors scored two early tries thanks to Harry Brown and Chris Thorley.
The Warriors caught the Tuggeranong defence off guard for the first try when Ryley Thomas decided to run the ball on the last play. The centre busted through the line out wide before passing the ball in field as Brown finished off the attack.
However, Tuggeranong second rower Dayne Ewings scored two quick tries in similar fashion as he leapt above the Warriors defenders to ground the ball from well placed kicks.
Quinlyn Cannon gave the Bushrangers a two point lead before halftime as the utility crossed the line but an injury to captain Josh Mitchell in the lead up gave Tuggeranong plenty to think about at halftime.
With the game in the balance, Tuggeranong seized the match by the scruff off the neck as Michael Uluakiola busted through four defenders to cross the line before John Papalii added four points of his own.
Determined to consolidate their position in fourth place, the West Belconnen Warriors gave themselves a chance of salvaging the match when Harry Brown set up Aidan Greenwood to score but it wasn’t enough as Seteki Fetuani scored scored a spectacular Tuggeranong try.
Watch the highlights in the video above
Goulburn Workers Bulldogs 54 (Tries: S Conlon, C Hart, Brad Hewitt, J Roberts, P Cooke 2, T Hazleton 2, D Stephens 2; Goals: Blake Hewitt 7) d Belconnen United Sharks 4 (Tries: M Kirk)
The Goulburn Workers Bulldogs kept their slim finals chances alive as they piled over fifty points on the hapless Belconnen United Sharks.
Two try efforts from Pat Cooke, Tom Hazelton and the prolific Dominic Stephens helped the Bulldogs on their way as they scored a mammoth ten tries. Stephens effort also saw him move to within two tries of the top try scorers this season.
Mitchell Kirk scored his third try of the season as the Sharks managed to get on the board but ultimately it wasn’t enough for the Belconnen side as they conceded over 50 points for the fifth time this season.
Watch the highlights from the Bulldogs win over the Sharks here
Queanbeyan Kangaroos 36 (Tries: J Simbiken 3, M Connolly, T Aroha-Tuinauvai, L Spaander, J Essex; Goals: J Essex 4) d Yass Magpies 28 (Tries: Scott Naughton, Steve Naughton, J Vatikani, W Peace 2; Goals: S Davis)
The Queanbeyan Kangaroos celebrated the 200 game milestones of Josh Ayers and Troy Whiley with a win but it wasn’t straightforward as Yass threatened to spoil the party.
Andrew Swaffield was the first to score as the fullback linked up with the Naughton brothers to create a gap in the Queanbeyan defence. However, the Kangaroos hit back through Mitch Connolly.
The two teams continued to trade tries and with twenty minutes to go, the scores were locked a 28 all.
From that moment, the Kangaroos put their foot on the accelerator and broke the deadlock when a powerful run from Aroha-Tuinauvai was rewarded with a try.
A tense finale ensued but as Yass tried desperately to win the match with a high kick towards the in goal, Jedidiah Simbiken collected the ball and ran the length of the field to confirm the win.
See all the highlights from Queanbeyan's clash against Yass here
Queanbeyan Blues 20 (Tries: B Spears, T Stevens, J Stuckey, M Cullen; Goals: T Campese 2) d Woden Valley Rams 14 (Tries: C Jenksinson, T Hicks, J Hickson; Goals: J Carroll)
The Woden Valley Rams season is officially over after they succumbed to a narrow defeat at the hands of the Queanbeyan Blues.
In a match where they were widely considered underdogs, the Rams more than held their own as they took the lead thanks to tries from Tom Hicks, Jack Hickson and debutant Curtly Jenkinson.
However, the Blues came back strongly and managed to secure the result through tries to Brendon Spears, Tyler Stevens, Josh Stuckey and Michael Cullen.
The win sees the Blues remain undefeated with two final rounds of the regular season remaining.
See the highlights from the Blues' comeback against the Rams here
