Queanbeyan Kangaroos 48 (Tries: B Crisp 3, J Simbiken 2, B Cronan, M Connolly, A Gorrell; Goals: B Crisp 8) d Queanbeyan Blues 24 (Tries: J Wheeler 2, G Stewart 2, T Ruediger; Goals: T Campese 2)
A hat-trick from the returning Brent Crisp has helped the Queanbeyan Kangaroos defeat their cross-town rivals, the Queanbeyan Blues, 48-24 and book a grand final berth.
The McIntyre Medalist, showed his class from the opening moments in the match as he gave the Kangaroos an early lead.
Captain-coach Aaron Gorrell celebrated his 100th game with a try from dummy half before Crisp grabbed his second thanks to a Josh Essex intercept.
Jedidiah Simbiken added more points to the scoreboard when he ran 70 meters from a kick return to score before Mitchell Connolly gathered a Bryan Cronan no look pass to give the Roos a 30-0 lead within the opening 30 minutes.
The Queanbeyan Blues hit back as George Stewart – filling in for the injured Brendon Taueki – scored on either side of halftime while fullback, Jake Wheeler leapt above the Kangaroos defence to ground the ball over the line.
However, Jedidiah Simbiken halted the Blues’ comeback with a try in the right corner before Bryan Cronan put the final nail in the Blues’ coffin when he latched onto a Josh Essex grubber.
Thomas Ruediger added four points for the Blues when he was first to react from Francis Fainifo’s tap back from a high ball, but Crisp once again stole the show as he leapt highest to reel in a towering kick from Essex.
Wheeler did well to grab his second try of the afternoon, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Blues from slumping to a 48-24 defeat – their third straight loss.
The Blues will now face the Yass Magpies in next weekend’s preliminary final.
Watch the highlights in the video above
Yass Magpies 32 (Tries: J Vatikani 2, S Davis, J Collins, J Smith, S Aiolupo; Goals: S Davis 4) d Tuggeraong Bushrangers 18 (Tries: J Papalii, A Tupou, I Afemui; Goals: J Mitchell 3)
Yass’ dream season has continued as the Magpies defeated the Tuggeranong Bushrangers 32-18 in their elimination final at Raiders Belconnen on Sunday afternoon.
Tuggeranong started brightly as they muscled their way up field to score when Atu Tupou popped up a perfect offload for his front row partner, John Papalii, who barged his way over the line.
Yass hit back shortly afterwards when Shaun Davis finished off a remarkable passage of play. With no obvious attacking threat, Scott Naughton kicked the ball into the path of Yass winger Jesse Collins. Instead of attempting to pick up the ball, Collins kicked the ball back in field and Davis grounded the ball for a try.
Collins added a second try as he sprinted down the touchline while Saipani Aiolupo barged over from short range to score before Junior Vatikani scored from dummy-half just before the break.
Tuggeranong stormed back into contention after halftime as Isileli Afemui crossed the line before Atu Tupou bulldozed his way over the line to bring margin to only two points.
However, Yass’ nerves were calmed when a cutout pass was deflected by Tuggeranong and gathered by Jai Smith. The Magpies winger, darted towards the line to score out wide to give Yass a 24-18 lead.
The Yass fans were brought to their feet 15 minutes from fulltime when Junior Vatikani busted his way through the Tuggeranong line to score a brilliant 80 meter try.
Shaun Davis wrapped up the result in the last five minutes when the second rower slotted a penalty from right in front of the posts.
Watch the highlights from Yass' win over Tuggeranong here
