Canberra Raiders Cup: Round Eight Wrap
Round Eight saw intriguing matchups which held massive ramifications for the top four as the competition heads to the midpoint of the season.
Tuggeranong Bushrangers 30 def. Goulburn City Bulldogs 20
The Tuggeranong Bushrangers overturned a 14-point half time deficit against the Goulburn City Bulldogs to claim their third victory of the season.
Three first half tries courtesy of Marshall, Kearney and Sefulu established a strong advantage for the visitors, however the home side reigned them in with a five tries to one second half.
Halfback Trae Bennetto impressed with his running game, crossing for a try and setting up a couple, whilst front rower Cooper Taekata led from the front playing eighty minutes in the middle.
The Bulldogs will look to bounce back next weekend against the table topping Queanbeyan Kangaroos whilst the Bushrangers take on the Blues at Seiffert Oval.
Queanbeyan Blues 24 def. Yass Magpies 20
The Queanbeyan Blues have risen to second position on the Canberra Raiders Cup ladder with a tight four-point victory against the Yass Magpies.
It was the Magpies who started the better of the two sides, with Yass jumping to a 14-0 lead, through tries from Chevi Ellis, Toby Dasey and Caleb Piper.
However, the experience of the Queanbeyan Blues overturned the situation with the home team staging a comeback, edge backrower Jackson Owen crossed for a double in the run of tries.
The Blues will look to continue this run of momentum next weekend against the Bushrangers at home, whilst the Magpies return to Yass for a contest against the Bulls.
West Belconnen Warriors 44 def. Belconnen United Sharks 38
The West Belconnen Warriors defeated their cross-town rivals on Saturday, in arguably the game of the season with a try on the siren.
In a fifteen try thriller, the Warriors stole victory on the stroke of full time as an offload in the in goal was dived upon by Jude Cattle claiming the first edition of the derby for West Belconnen.
Hunter Tetu impressed for the Belconnen United Sharks, with the winger crossing for a hat-trick of tries in the sides defeat.
The Warriors will have the weekend off to recover from the frantic finish, whilst the Belconnen United Sharks take on the Woden Valley Rams at Woden Park.
Woden Valley Rams 40 def. Gungahlin Bulls 16
The Woden Valley Rams cemented themselves inside the top four with a comprehensive victory against the Bulls on Saturday at Woden Park.
Sam Gash and Matthew Cox proved the difference for the home side, with both players crossing for a double in the side's attacking display.
Meanwhile, for the Bulls the loss sees them remain outside the top four, Jesse Croker continued his try scoring form crossing the line.
The Rams will look for back-to-back wins in Round Nine against the Belconnen United Sharks, whilst the Bulls take on the Magpies at Walker Park.
