Bushrangers End Warriors Season to Advance to CRC Preliminary Final
The Tuggeranong Bushrangers have advanced to the Canberra Raiders Cup Preliminary final in a tough and gritty 30-24 showing which sees the West Belconnen Warriors exit the finals.
Despite being down at half time, the Bushrangers came out firing in the second half scoring 20 unanswered points which sees them book a spot with the Queanbeyan Kangaroos in next weekend's preliminary final.
The Warriors were the first team to strike inside the first three minutes with a cheeky grubber kick into the in-goal with Brendon Withers jumping on the ball to give them a 4-0 lead.
With the help of a penalty, the Bushrangers charge upfield for their first opportunity in the match.
A smart one-on-one steal from Ryan McQueen relieves the pressure off the Warriors.
It was back and forth between both teams, but some terrific scramble defence from the Warriors has been the highlight in the first 20 minutes of the first half.
The Bushrangers finally split the Warriors' defence with Julian Haywood-Whiley dummying his way through the line and drawing in the fullback to give it off to Liam Oakley to put Tuggeranong ahead 6-4.
Some unbelievable strength and determination from Noa Vanisi saw him cross the line off the back of a tap restart to give the Warriors a 10-6 lead with ten minutes remaining in the half.
The Warriors spread the ball on the last tackle and with some quick hands from Tom Haddad, which found Siamani Leuluai who burst through a hole and pushed their lead out to 16-6.
An unforced error from the Warriors gives the Bushrangers a much-needed opportunity with just two minutes remaining before halftime.
A fantastic short side raid saw a beautiful pass from Wez Alexander-McCarthy, who linked up with Lachie Cunanan who beats one and goes over to make the score 16-12 at halftime.
An early error from the Warriors in the second half saw Tuggeranong take full advantage with a short ball from Oakley to a rampaging Ben Nanesa to give the Bushrangers a 18-16 lead.
The Bushrangers were defending for their life in the second half, keeping the Warriors out for multiple sets on their line.
Another error from the Warriors saw big strong Cooper Taekata break through multiple defenders to give the Bushrangers a 24-16 lead with just 10 minutes left to play.
An Offload from Vanisi finds the wrong set of hands with Nanesa taking the intercept to score his second and further push the Bushrangers out to a 30-16 lead drawing themselves closer to a Preliminary final.
With just under five minutes remaining before full time it was the Warriors with a lovely cut out pass from Haddad to Sam Hyland who cuts the deficit 30-20.
The Warriors went the length of the field and with some quick hands on the the left saw George Stewart power his way through multiple defenders to score to further cut the deficit 30-24, with under a minute remaining.
It was too little too late from the Warriors with the full-time siren blowing which gives the Bushrangers their 11th straight win and will take on the Roos next weekend to try and book a grand final spot.
Image by Trish Sullivan
