A stunning round six of the Blumers Lawyers Canberra Raiders Cup saw close finishes, upsets and the first draw of the season with the Kangaroos, Rams and Blues all recording wins.
Tuggeranong Bushrangers 26 drew West Belconnen Warriors 26
A top of the table clash between the Tuggeranong Bushrangers and West Belconnen Warriors has finished in a 26-all point draw at Greenway Oval on Saturday afternoon.
A late try from Bushrangers forward Zac Saddler in the 75th minute tied things up, but the damaging number eight failed to convert his own try to give Tuggeranong the win.
It was all West Belconnen in the first half, with the visitors running in three unanswered tries to take an 18-0 lead.
A high shot from Saddler on the stroke of halftime gave the Warriors a chance to put themselves up by 20-points as they opted for the penalty goal right in front.
The roles reversed in the second 40 minutes with the Bushrangers scoring with ease, running in five tries to one by the 70th minute. The final ten minutes was full of anticipation until Saddler dragged three defenders over the line on his way to levelling the scores.
But his conversion attempt from 15-meters out to the right was pushed across the face of the uprights which left the crowd in disbelief as the scores ended in a draw.
The Warriors will travel to Yass this weekend to take on the Magpies whereas Tuggeranong have a bye week and can prepare themselves for their round eight matchup against the Bulldogs.
Queanbeyan Kangaroos 20 d Yass Magpies 12
The Queanbeyan Kangaroos have registered their first win of the season with an eight-point victory over the Yass Magpies at Seears Workwear Oval.
After a tight opening ten minutes, Yass were able to go 70-meters to score the first try of the game through Joshua Fattore.
Some beautiful hands down the right-edge created space for winger Ayden Pothan to place a kick back in-field for Fattore, who gathered and scored next to the posts.
The Kangaroos answered back with two tries to end the half, the first in the 27th minute through Jayden Thomas and second in the 38th minute which was simultaneously claimed by both the winger and centre on the Roos left edge.
The second half was a tighter contest with both sides scoring one try a piece. The Kangaroos were able to hold onto their lead and walk away with a strong 20-12 win at home.
Yass will host the West Belconnen Warriors this weekend and the Kangaroos will take on Gungahlin in round seven.
Woden Valley Rams 34 d Goulburn City Bulldogs 16
Woden Valley has progressed into third position on the competition ladder after a comfortable 34-16 win over the Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon in Goulburn.
A full 80 minute performance from the Rams was too much for Goulburn City as Woden leap frogged their opponents on the Blumers Lawyers Canberra Raiders Cup ladder.
Three tries in the opening half from the Rams laid the platform for them to go on to win the game, after boasting a healthy 18-6 lead at the break.
It was much of the same in the second half, with Woden Valley finding the line with ease to take an impressive 34-16 win.
A man of the match performance from Woden halfback Jesse Taws, led the team around the park to control his side and lead them to a comfortable 18-point victory.
The Rams will host the Sharks at Phillip Oval this weekend whereas the Bulldogs will be looking to bounce back with a win over the Queanbeyan Blues.
Queanbeyan Blues 42 d Belconnen United Sharks 16
The Queanbeyan Blues have defeated Belconnen United by 26 points at NSWRL HQ Bruce on Saturday afternoon.
It was a try scoring affair for the visiting side with three Blues players recording try-doubles.
It was a tight first half with both sides scoring multiple tries.
Queanbeyan scored the first two before the Sharks answered back by stripping them for numbers down the left hand side. The Blues held a close 16-12 lead at halftime.
But in the second half the Blues ran away with it, led by their captain Terry Campese. the visitors outscored the Sharks 26-4.
The Sharks will face Woden Valley this weekend as they look to return to the winners column. Meanwhile, the Blues will host a top four clash against the Goulburn City Bulldogs at Seiffert Oval.
Image by Trisha Sullivan