Round 5 Review - Canberra Raiders Cup

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Canberra Raiders Cup Round 5 review



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Canberra Raiders Cup Round 5 Review

Belconnen United Scholars 32 defeated Gungahlin Bulls 18

The sending off of Belconnen United Scholars front rower Matt Britt was the surprising catalyst for a spectacular come from behind victory for the Scholars over the Gungahlin Bulls.

The Bulls were up 18-16 early in the second half and looked assured of victory when Britt was sent off for a high shot on Pat O’Keeffe.

Instead of finishing the Scholars off though, the Bulls took their foot off the accelerator and the incident then spurred the Scholars to score three late tries to seal a 32-18 win.

The Bulls had to fight their way back from a 16-0 deficit early in the first half to take the lead through two tries to hooker James Ulrick and a marvelous length of the field effort from fullback Whylie Manton.
Alas, it was not to be for the Bulls as the Scholars advanced to their fourth win in a row.

“The Scholars lifted when they were a man down and we were flat. That’s where we had to lift,” said Gungahlin Captain-Coach Josh Ayres.

“It doesn’t seem to be an advantage for the side with 13 on the field sometimes, but we killed ourselves in this game.”

“When we got to the point where we wanted to put a play on, the boys wanted to take it one out and do the silly plays. Instead of playing smart football, we played dumb.”

The match had plenty of feeling in it with up to 10 former Gungahlin players playing for Belconnen yesterday.

“I think there were 10 old Bulls blokes there. It always adds a bit of extra spice.”

“But I’m more than happy to go out there, whack them and go and have a beer with them after the game.”

Former Canterbury Bulldogs fullback Brent Crisp was again in masterful touch for the Scholars, scoring two tries and landing four conversions for a personal haul of 16 points. The Scholars are the best attacking team in the competition with 192 points for the year; 38 more than their nearest competitor and Crisp has a lot to do with this.

Crisp’s immaculate kicking game also proved highly influential for the Scholars gaining his side invaluable field position.

Belconnen centre and former Gungahlin player Ryan O’Sullivan revealed after the match that Britt’s send off had lifted his side in the much anticipated clash.

“There’s a bit of rivalry between the two of us and a bit of tension. It was a great build-up.”
“Everyone rallied together in the second half. It was really good to get the win,” O’Sullivan said.

Yass Magpies 48 defeated West Belconnen Warriors 18

Yass has continued their outstanding start to the year by trouncing West Belconnen 48-18 at Walker Park.

The win sees the Magpies in second position on the ladder and firming as a real force in this year’s competition whilst the Warriors are resigned to last place on the ladder after their winless start to the year.

2002 Premiership Winner for the Sydney Roosters, Andrew Lomu, was a tower of strength up front for the Warriors and was rewarded with a try in the nine-tries-to-three defeat.

Queanbeyan Kangaroos 36 defeated Goulburn Workers Bulldogs 12

Aaron Gorrell’s Queanbeyan Kangaroos stole the honours from his counterpart James Aubusson and his Goulburn Roos in this clash at Freebody Oval.

The matchup between the two Captain-Coaches, both of whom had very respectable first grade careers, was a highlight of the contest but ultimately it was the Kangaroos who prevailed winners 36-12.

The Kangaroos now advance to first on the ladder.

Queanbeyan Blues 42 defeated Tuggeranong Bushrangers 12

The Queanbeyan Blues flexed their muscles in this eight-tries-to-three victory with Tyson Endacott and Mitch Day registering doubles for the Blues.

The Blues have the best defence in the competition however this encounter displayed their attacking ability with fantastic ball movement and line running evident throughout.

Day was especially inspirational for the fourth-placed Blues. The tough as nails forward got through a mountain of work up front as well as portraying his class through several quality offloads.

Source: Raiders