Canberra Raiders Cup 2022: Round 9 Wrap
The Blumers Lawyers Canberra Raiders Cup reached the halfway mark of the season over the weekend, with Goulburn snapping their four-game losing streak and the Warriors conceding their first loss of the season.
Goulburn City Bulldogs 38 d Queanbeyan Kangaroos 18
The Bulldogs have picked up a 38-18 win away from home over the Kangaroos, in the match of the round this past Saturday at Seears Workwear Oval.
It was an important win for the Bulldogs who snapped a four game losing streak to remain in the hunt for the top four.
It was a great start for the Bulldogs who came out of the sheds on fire, going up 12-nil early in the first half. The Kangaroos remained in the fight as both teams traded tries with the Bulldogs taking a 22-12 lead at halftime.
The Bulldogs continued their strong performance into the second half where back-rower Ron Leapai proved too much for the Queanbeyan defence, piling on two tries of his own to secure the 38-18 victory.
The Bulldogs will be hoping for back to back wins when they return home to take on the Sharks, while the Kangaroos take on the Bushrangers next weekend.
Tuggeranong Bushrangers 18 d Gungahlin Bulls 16
The Bushrangers survived a late scare from the Bulls to go top of the table, as they earned a close 18-16 win at home.
The Bushrangers were able to avoid their second loss of the season as they are now tied with the Warriors on top of the ladder. Liam Oakley was the difference for the home side, scoring the Bushies first try of the match and kicking all three conversions which proved to be vital.
It was a disappointing loss for the Bulls who have now lost back to back games against top four teams. Despite the loss, the Bulls have shown in patches that they can compete with the best teams in the competition.
Gungahlin remain second last on the ladder but will take a lot of confidence out of their last two performances. They will be hoping to convert these strong performances into wins which starts with the Warriors next Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Bushrangers will travel to take on the Kangaroos in Queanbeyan next weekend.
Belconnen United Sharks 32 d Yass Magpies 8
The Sharks have picked up their first away win of the season, earning a 32-8 win at Walker Park on Saturday.
It was a much needed win for the Sharks who avoided a third straight loss to remain sixth on the ladder. Dummy half Jack Beagley was great for the Sharks, scoring a try and kicking four conversions, as the side secured their biggest win of 2022.
Belconnen United mid-season signings Zac Patch & Jake Hawkins were enormous in their debut matches for the Sharks, causing havoc through the middle and creating opportunities out-wide.
The Magpies have now suffered a fifth straight loss as they remain on the bottom of the ladder as we enter the second half of the season.
The Sharks will travel to Workers Arena to take on the Bulldogs in a very important match as both sides are in the hunt for finals footy.
The Magpies will enjoy a much needed bye before taking on the Rams in round 11.
Queanbeyan Blues 46 d West Belconnen Warriors 18
The Warriors undefeated run has come to an end after the Queanbeyan Blues secured a 46-18 win at Raiders Belconnen on Sunday.
It was the Blues best performance of the season as they secured their fifth win in a row. The Blues started strong as they ran out to a 24-6 lead at halftime, before piling on the points in the second half.
The Blues now have the best attack in the competition, as they proved too good for the Warriors defence which remains the second best this season.
The Warriors have now fallen to second on the ladder as their undefeated run has come to an end. Despite the loss, Robert Roberts was brilliant again as he kicked all three conversion attempts and set up a try in the first half.
The Blues will now take an enormous amount of confidence into their next game against the Rams in an epic top four clash. Meanwhile, the Warriors will be desperate to bounce back when they take on the Bulls at home.
