Canberra Raiders Cup 2023: Round 1 Wrap

The Blumers Lawyers Canberra Raiders Cup got underway in the first round of the 2023 season, with all four games featuring plenty of tries.

Belconnen United Sharks 34 def Gungahlin Bulls 16

In the first ‘match of the round’ of the season, it was the Belconnen United Sharks who were victorious over the Gungahlin Bulls in a stellar second half performance.

The Sharks scored 20 points in the second half to overcome the constant and persistent Bulls outfit at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval.

In an evenly contested first half of football, both teams went into the sheds at the break with the Sharks leading by only four points.

However, the Sharks inevitably piled on the points in the second half as they dominated possession and were clinical in their attacking chances.

Two tries and two try assists to centre Tevita Aroha-Tuinauvai inspired the team to a comfortable 34-16 win as he earned himself the man of the match award.

Queanbeyan Kangaroos 36 def Goulburn City Bulldogs 20

The Queanbeyan Kangaroos proved too strong over the Goulburn City Bulldogs as they were triumphant in a 36-20 win.

After a slow start, the Kangaroos switched on in the second half scoring 30 points claiming their first win of the season.

The Bulldogs were the first to pounce, scoring the first try of the match in the fourth minute as Dillon Rota fended off his opposite number surging his way to the line.

Both sides were ill-disciplined in the first half giving away countless penalties that ultimately led to a sin-bin to Kangaroo halfback Sam Williams with five minutes remaining in the second half.

Capitalising on this, the Bulldogs scored two late tries in the half to take a 14-6 lead going into the second half.

It only took the Bulldogs three minutes into the second half to strike, further taking advantage of the sin bin to lead 20-6.

The game soon flipped on its head as the Kangaroos scored 30 unanswered points thanks to a double from Harry Quinlan and a try each to James Horvat and Kaine Pagura.

Williams made amends for his earlier sin bin assisting a try from a well-placed kick as well as scoring a try of his own to sustain the comeback from the Kangaroos.

Tuggeranong Bushrangers 38 def Queanbeyan Blues 12

The Tuggeranong Bushrangers were dominant in their first game of the season, defeating the Queanbeyan Blues 38-12 at home.

Scoring seven tries to two, the Bushrangers came firing out of the gates scoring their first try in the opening six minutes.

The Bushies were relentless in attack, breaking tackles and offloading as they barraged their way to the line on numerous occasions.

A double from Darby Medlyn and Jack Bishop broke down the Blues defence as they were too strong and powerful close to the line.

The Blues will look to put this week behind them as they take on Yass Magpies next weekend.

Woden Valley Rams 38 def Yass Magpies 36

The Woden Valley Rams narrowly beat the Yass Magpies in a close encounter at Walker Park over the weekend.

The Rams made their intentions clear early as they scored three early tries in the first 20 minutes of the game.

The Magpies managed to score their first try of the day in the 23rd minute against the run of play, as front-rower Dujuayne Sua-Bacon found a gap in the Rams defence.

Despite this, the Rams kept piling on the points in the first half extending their lead to 32-6.

Remarkably the Magpies found their way back into the game, scoring five tries in the second half to bring them within two points with just under 20 minutes remaining in the game.

The Magpies came ever so close to overcoming the two point margin but were unable to break the Rams defence, ending in a 38-36 win to the Rams.