Canberra Raiders Wrap: Round 12 Wrap

Round 12 of the Blumers Lawyers Canberra Raiders Cup was one for the history books, with some dominant wins and a nail biting clash that came down to the wire.

West Belconnen Warriors 22 drew Tuggeranong Bushrangers 22

This week’s clash between the Warriors and Bushies was arguably the match of the year, with a late hattrick saving the day for the Warriors in the dying stages.

The Warriors scored first through half Bayley Graham, thanks to a smart offload by Luke Duffey. Brandon Withers successfully converted to give the hosts a 6-0 lead in the sixth minute.

The Bushies were quick to reply with winger Tyler Evans and hooker Liam Oakley both scoring back-to-back tries to take a 10-6 lead by the 13th minute.

In the 25th minute a Graham grubber challenged the Bushies defence for Withers to score down the left side. Withers missed the conversion which left the scoreboard reading 10-all in the 25th minute.

In the 29th minute Tuggeranong’s Darby Medlyn attacked down the left edge, where he found Jack Davison on the wing to score. Oakley converted to give the Bushrangers a 16-10 lead at the break.

The Warriors scored first after the break with Ryan McQueen’s grubber finding Graham to compete his double. Withers converted to lock the score up again at 16-all in the 55th minute.

Oakley also completed his double for the Bushies, crossing over from dummy half in the 65th minute. Oakley converted his own try to further the visitors lead to 22-16.

This back-and-forth clash could not have finished any better, with Graham saving the day in the 77th minute, scoring his third try of the day. Despite the pressure to tie the game, Withers successfully kicked the conversion to end this nail-biting thriller 22-all.

Goulburn City Bulldogs 24 d Woden Valley Rams 6

After losing their last two games, it was clear the Bulldogs wanted to return to their winning ways and make a statement to the rest of the competition that they’re a team to keep on their radar.

The Bulldogs hosted the Rams in Goulburn this week and they came out firing, scoring first in the fifth minute through fullback Dillon Rota down the left edge. Isaac Walker converted from the sideline to give the home side an early 6-0 lead.

Both sides defence was excellent in the wet conditions, but it was Goulburn’s Ron Leapai who came charging through from second row, taking on five defenders to drive his way over the chalk in the 37th minute. Walker converted once again to give the hosts a 12-0 lead to end the half.

Woden’s half Adam Lucas showed some individual brilliance to try and bring his side back into the game, with a smart and chase play, followed by a quick offload that put winger Liam Shaw over the line in the 48th minute. Gideon Afemui successfully converted to reduce the deficit to 6-12.

Just as the Rams began to find their feet, Bulldogs' Mitchell Atkinson scored his first for the day, with Leapai completing his double to cap off an exciting 24-6 victory.

Gungahlin Bulls 28 d Yass Magpies 12

Despite having an unsuccessful 2023 campaign so far, Gungahlin still showed plenty of skill this weekend, defeating the Yass Magpies 28-12 at home with Dickason scoring a hattrick.  

The Bulls came out seeing red as they charged away with the lead early with fullback Travis Vawdon scoring in the fifth minute of the match. Robert Roberts put the ball over the black dot to give Gungahlin a 6-0 lead.

Yass were quick to reply, with hooker Ryan Prins scoring from dummy half to help his side stay in the fight. Waisale Nayavucere was able to convert the try to lock it up at 6-all in the 17th minute.

The home side were able to get the upper hand before the break, with centre Zachary Dickason scoring down the left side in the 20th minute. Roberts converted to further the Bull’s lead to 12-6 to finish the half.

With the visitors on the back foot, halfback Brandon Thompson tried to save the day, scoring under the sticks to lock the score once again at 12-0 as Nayavucere converted in the 45th minute.

Until this point it was a neck-and-neck contest, but it was the Bulls who prevailed, running in three unanswered tries through Jade Schumacher, and a second half Dickason double to complete his hattrick to cap off a 28-12 win.   

Belconnen United Sharks d Queanbeyan Blues by forfeit

Image by Trisha Sullivan