A hat-trick from the returning Brent Crisp has helped the Queanbeyan Kangaroos defeat their cross-town rivals, the Queanbeyan Blues, 48-24 and book a grand final berth.
The McIntyre Medalist, showed his class from the opening moments in the match as the Kangaroos raced to an early lead.
Crisp was the first to score before captain-coach Aaron Gorrell celebrated his 100th game with a try from dummy half as he caught the markers napping to cross from a metre out.
Kangaroos halfback Josh Essex managed to intercept a Queanbeyan pass before Crisp finished off the play with his second try of the afternoon.
Jedidiah Simbiken added more points to the scoreboard when he ran 70 meters from a kick return to score before Mitchell Connolly gathered a Bryan Cronan no look pass to give the Roos a 30-0 lead within the opening 30 minutes.
The Queanbeyan Blues hit back as George Stewart – filling in for the injured Brendon Taueki – scored on either side of halftime.
While fullback, Jake Wheeler leapt above the Kangaroos defence to ground the ball over the line.
However, Jedidiah Simbiken halted the Blues’ comeback with a try in the right corner before Bryan Cronan put the final nail in the Blues’ coffin when he latched onto a Josh Essex grubber.
Thomas Ruediger added four points for the Blues when he was first to react from Francis Fainifo’s tap back from a high ball, but Crisp once again stole the show as he leapt highest to reel in a towering kick from Essex.
Wheeler did well to grab his second try of the afternoon, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Blues from slumping to a 48-24 defeat – their third straight loss.
The Blues will now face the winner of tomorrow’s minor semifinal between the Yass Magpies and Tuggeranong Bushrangers in next weekend’s preliminary final.
The Kangaroos, on the other hand, will enjoy the week off as they prepare for yet another grand final.
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Topic: CRRL: CRC Match Report: Crisp Helps Roos Book Grand Final Berth
