Canberra Raiders Cup: Round 17 Wrap

The race for the finals intensified over the weekend with the picture becoming no clearer with shock victories and comeback performances. 

Goulburn City Bulldogs 22 def. Tuggeranong Bushrangers 20 

The Goulburn City Bulldogs secured a comeback victory against the Tuggeranong Bushrangers claiming a two-point win that keeps them inside the top four. 

After trailing for the entirety of the contest, two tries in the final ten minutes ensured the Bulldogs claim their third consecutive victory, fullback Jay Lualua starred for the home side with a strong defensive display, along with a try. 

Meanwhile, the defeat means the Bushrangers can no longer qualify for the final's series, in a difficult campaign, Liam Oakley has been one of their best with this continuing on the weekend with his running game producing a try. 

The Bulldogs face a tough task next weekend with the ladder leading Kangaroos, whilst the Bushrangers return home against the Queanbeyan Blues. 

Woden Valley Rams 28 def. Gungahlin Bulls 24 

The Woden Valley Rams fought a late charge from the Gungahlin Bulls to secure an import win in their final's chances. 

A double from edge backrower Matthew Cox ensured the Rams claimed their seventh victory of the year and that they keep the pressure on the Bulldogs in the race to fourth spot. 

Meanwhile, the Bulls will be pleased their effort to fight back, however falling short sees them suffer their eleventh loss of the season, Noah Marcantonio and Jayden Ford were amongst their best crossing for a try each. 

The Bulls will look to bounce back this weekend as they welcome the Yass Magpies to Gungahlin Enclosed, whilst the Rams face the second-place Sharks at NSWRL HQ Bruce in a critical contest. 

West Belconnen Warriors 28 def. Belconnen United Sharks 12 

The West Belconnen Warriors produced an upset at Raiders Belconnen on Saturday, securing the season double against their cross-town rivals in the process. 

The Warriors celebrated Old Boys Day in style with a complete performance and secured back-to-back wins for the first time since round Ten, Zac Treglown impressed in the halfback jersey crossing the stripe for a double. 

Whilst, for the Sharks the loss is their second consecutive and sees them on the cusp of dropping out of the top two, winger Ben Kami scored a try increasing his seasons tally to 11. 

The Warriors have the weekend off with the bye in round 18 before finishing their season against the Bulldogs, whilst the Sharks will be desperate to bounce against the Rams at home. 

Queanbeyan Blues 66 def. Yass Magpies 12 

For the second straight week, the Queanbeyan Blues passed the sixty mark with a comprehensive victory against the Yass Magpies at Walker Park. 

Blues five-eighth Connor Williams scored a hat-trick again, making his tally six tries in two games, with the Blues crossing the line on twelve separate occasions and keeping their chances alive for a top two finish. 

Meanwhile, the tough season for the Magpies continues with a third straight heavy defeat, halfback Kaiden Bell was their standout performer once again scoring one of their two tries. 

The Magpies travel to Gungahlin next weekend for a contest against the Bulls as both sides look to avoid the wooden spoon, whilst the Blues take on the Bushrangers at Greenway Oval. 

Image by Tuggeranong Bushrangers