2018 Canberra Raiders Cup
Posted: September 2, 2018, 7:31 pm
Canberra Raiders Cup: Grand Final Wrap
Incredible. Amazing. Epic. But mere words can't quite do the 2018 Canberra Raiders Cup Grand Final full justice.
The Woden Valley Rams took the premiership with a one point victory over the Tuggeranong Bushrangers at Seiffert Oval on Sunday afternoon. They extended their unbeaten run to 13 matches to win their first title in 22 years, but it was very nearly an unlucky 13th.
The Rams dominated the first half, piling on four tries and going to the break with a 24-0 lead. Woden had a huge share of possession and played most of the first period in the Bushrangers' half. Tuggeranong had minimal chances to attack the Woden line - and they didn't really look like scoring.
In the 48th minute, Woden extended their lead to 30 points, when Michael Gilmour charged onto the ball - and there was absolutely no stopping the joint McIntrye Medallist. At that stage, it looked like the match was well and truly over, with the Bushrangers no chance of getting back into the match. But that is precisely what they proceeded to do.
Tuggeranong put their first points on the board in the 53rd minute, with a try to Canberra Raiders SG Ball player, Matthew Dragisic. And then incredibly, in the space of the next 20 minutes, the Bushrangers scored five tries to level the match 30-30. Jamal Ncouki scored a double, as did Dragisic. The momentum shift was extraordinary. Absolutely everything went the way of the Bushrangers and they played some irresistible football. Every pass stuck, metres came easily up the middle of the field. It was an incredible comeback.
With eight minutes remaining, it was anyone's game. But somehow, the Rams turned the momentum, and worked their way into field goal position. Lincoln Withers took a shot with four minutes remaining, and the low, long kick just cleared the cross bar. That field goal would prove the difference. The Bushrangers tried twice to get a field goal shot in... but just couldn't get to the right place on the field. When the siren sounded, it was 31-30 to the Rams.
2018 Canberra Raiders Cup Grand Final: Woden Valley Rams V Tuggeranong Bushrangers highlights
Lincoln Withers returned to his junior club this year for one last hurrah. Or maybe he will be tempted to put the boots on again in 2019. He won the Rams the game and he won the Brad Clyde Medal for the best on ground. It's hard to argue. One of the banners displayed by Rams fans at the ground exclaimed “God be Withers”. Maybe he was. But if Matthew Dragisic had been judged best on ground, I wouldn't have argued with that either. He was absolutely first rate. Hopefully the Raiders have him under lock and key.
It was an outstanding match. One that certainly deserved the title, Grand Final.
Canberra Raiders Cup Grand Finals
Full match replays:
Grand Final results:
First Grade: Woden Valley Rams 31 (Ron Leapai, Michael Geiger, Adam Lucas, Cody Hodge, Michael Gilmour tries; Lincoln Withers 5 goals, field goal) defeated Tuggeranong Bushrangers 30 (Matthew Dragisic 2, Jamal Nchouki 2, Jayden Pollard tries; Joshua Mitchell 5 goals) at Seiffert Oval.
Reserve Grade FT: West Belconnen Warriors 24 defeated Queanbeyan Blues 16
Under 18s FT: Queanbeyan Blues 28 defeated Goulburn Bulldogs 18
Katrina Fanning Shield FT: Goulburn Stockmen 20 defeated Yass Magpies 8
Women's League Tag FT: West Belconnen Warriors 10 defeated Goulburn Bulldogs 4
And follow The Greenhouse on Facebook: The Greenhouse Forum, Twitter: @TheGHRaiders and Instagram: @TheGHRaiders
Incredible. Amazing. Epic. But mere words can't quite do the 2018 Canberra Raiders Cup Grand Final full justice.
The Woden Valley Rams took the premiership with a one point victory over the Tuggeranong Bushrangers at Seiffert Oval on Sunday afternoon. They extended their unbeaten run to 13 matches to win their first title in 22 years, but it was very nearly an unlucky 13th.
The Rams dominated the first half, piling on four tries and going to the break with a 24-0 lead. Woden had a huge share of possession and played most of the first period in the Bushrangers' half. Tuggeranong had minimal chances to attack the Woden line - and they didn't really look like scoring.
In the 48th minute, Woden extended their lead to 30 points, when Michael Gilmour charged onto the ball - and there was absolutely no stopping the joint McIntrye Medallist. At that stage, it looked like the match was well and truly over, with the Bushrangers no chance of getting back into the match. But that is precisely what they proceeded to do.
Tuggeranong put their first points on the board in the 53rd minute, with a try to Canberra Raiders SG Ball player, Matthew Dragisic. And then incredibly, in the space of the next 20 minutes, the Bushrangers scored five tries to level the match 30-30. Jamal Ncouki scored a double, as did Dragisic. The momentum shift was extraordinary. Absolutely everything went the way of the Bushrangers and they played some irresistible football. Every pass stuck, metres came easily up the middle of the field. It was an incredible comeback.
With eight minutes remaining, it was anyone's game. But somehow, the Rams turned the momentum, and worked their way into field goal position. Lincoln Withers took a shot with four minutes remaining, and the low, long kick just cleared the cross bar. That field goal would prove the difference. The Bushrangers tried twice to get a field goal shot in... but just couldn't get to the right place on the field. When the siren sounded, it was 31-30 to the Rams.
2018 Canberra Raiders Cup Grand Final: Woden Valley Rams V Tuggeranong Bushrangers highlights
Lincoln Withers returned to his junior club this year for one last hurrah. Or maybe he will be tempted to put the boots on again in 2019. He won the Rams the game and he won the Brad Clyde Medal for the best on ground. It's hard to argue. One of the banners displayed by Rams fans at the ground exclaimed “God be Withers”. Maybe he was. But if Matthew Dragisic had been judged best on ground, I wouldn't have argued with that either. He was absolutely first rate. Hopefully the Raiders have him under lock and key.
It was an outstanding match. One that certainly deserved the title, Grand Final.
Canberra Raiders Cup Grand Finals
Full match replays:
Grand Final results:
First Grade: Woden Valley Rams 31 (Ron Leapai, Michael Geiger, Adam Lucas, Cody Hodge, Michael Gilmour tries; Lincoln Withers 5 goals, field goal) defeated Tuggeranong Bushrangers 30 (Matthew Dragisic 2, Jamal Nchouki 2, Jayden Pollard tries; Joshua Mitchell 5 goals) at Seiffert Oval.
Reserve Grade FT: West Belconnen Warriors 24 defeated Queanbeyan Blues 16
Under 18s FT: Queanbeyan Blues 28 defeated Goulburn Bulldogs 18
Katrina Fanning Shield FT: Goulburn Stockmen 20 defeated Yass Magpies 8
Women's League Tag FT: West Belconnen Warriors 10 defeated Goulburn Bulldogs 4
And follow The Greenhouse on Facebook: The Greenhouse Forum, Twitter: @TheGHRaiders and Instagram: @TheGHRaiders