Roos bounce past Bushies to claim 2023 premiership

With the stage set for a blockbuster clash, the occasion did not disappoint with the Queanbeyan Kangaroos defeating Tuggeranong Bushrangers 34-6 in a thrilling grand final battle.

Queanbeyan fullback Kaine Pagura was named best on ground, just 12 months after he collected the same medal for his performance in last year's reserve grade premiership, claiming three tries in this afternoon's big victory.

It was a shaky start for the Roos, with Thomas Williams knocking the ball on off the kick off to gift the Bushies possession 10m out from the try line.

Luckily for the hosts, this temporary brain lapse did not last long, and the Roos defence rallied together to hold out the Bushies attack.

In the fifth minute Queanbeyan got on the attack, with veteran Sam Williams showing his class with a convincing dummy which saw him break the Bushies defensive line, finding fullback Kaine Pagura in support who scored the first try of the match.  

Williams successfully converted to give the Roos an important 6-0 lead.

With momentum on their side, Queanbeyan continued to pile on the pressure with their forward pack putting in a shift to set up another attacking chance.

This saw Jesse Dent score down the right edge in the 20th minute thanks to a strong run by the forward, forcing his way through a hole in the Tuggeranong defence.

Williams converted, seeing the Roos lead 12-0.

In the 26th minute Liam Oakley took matters into his own hands, breaking the line to gain 50 metres for the Bushies, but Roos winger Steven Numambo proved his worth in defence, putting a stop to the attack by dragging Tuggeranong winger Jack Davison out of play five metres from the line.

Davison had another chance in the 31st minute, and the winger did not disappoint, scoring the first try for the visitors to get his side back in the battle.

Oakley successfully converted from the sideline to reduce the deficit to 12-6.

In the 35th the Roos were awarded a penalty which saw them kick for touch and gain some valuable field position.

Queanbeyan were on the hunt for another try before the break, and it appeared front rower Steven Dunn scored under the sticks, but it was later confirmed that he lost possession over the line, granting the Bushies a lifeline.

In the final minute of the half, Roos prop Iosia Soliola showed his experience, forcing a penalty through an offside tackle, allowing the hosts one last chance to further their lead before halftime

Williams opted to take the two, giving Queanbeyan a 14-6 lead at the break.

As the game resumed for the second half, the Kangaroos were the first team to earn themselves an opportunity to score.

Plaguing away at the line, the Roos opted for a short side play on the last tackle catching the Bushies outnumbered as Jake Keily went over to score on the left edge.

A missed conversion from Williams kept the scores at 18-6.

An incredible solo try from Pagura put the game to bed for the Roos as he swerved and fended around opponents to crash over in the corner.

Pagura was able to complete his double in a matter of minutes as the line break from Soliola put them on the front foot with the line in sight.

Williams then played the ball back on the inside to Pauga to score and increase their margin to 22 points with less than 30 minutes left in the game.

Just as the Bushies had the line in sight, the heat of the moment forced multiple errors that ruined all momentum they had gained.

As the Roos stayed relatively error-free in the second half, frustration kept building for the Bushies who struggled to put pressure on the Roos try line.

A golden chance presented itself for the Bushies to put themselves on the board in the second half, as a grubber kick sparked a foot chase with Bushies winning but knocking it on over the try line.

The Roos capped off their dominant performance with a try from forward Adam Barlow and a successful conversion from Williams end the game 34-6 and claim the 2023 premiership.