The Queanbeyan Kangaroos are now on top of the ladder after a comprehensive 44-6 win over the Tuggeranong Bushrangers in the top of the table clash last weekend at Seears Workwear Oval.
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The Kangaroos were coming off a comprehensive 34-6 win over the Belconnen United Sharks in Round 16, sitting just one-point shy of the Bushrangers before the game.
With finals now so close, Queanbeyan Kangaroos coach Aaron Gorrell is hoping to see his side improve their consistency.
“That’s probably been our biggest weakness all year,” Gorrell said. “We’ve been really good for short periods but to win against the top sides, you need to be good for long periods of time. We control our own destiny and we’ve spoken about that for the last six weeks.”
The Bushrangers had lost just their third match of the year following a 22-12 defeat to the Gungahlin Bulls opening up the minor premiership race to the Roos.
However, Tuggeranong prop Phaebian Antonio says the team has regathered and the will be determined to seal the Minor Premiership.
Antonio said. “The boys really want a home semi-final so hopefully we get up on the weekend.”
After a tense opening where both sides battled for field position, the Kangaroos opened the scoring in the 20th minute as Sekope Meke planted the ball in the corner.
The game continued to remain in the balance but two tries before the break swung the match firmly in the favour of the home side. Tyrone Henderson busted through a couple of tackles to score in the corner before Bryan Cronan scored on the buzzer on the back of some second phase play.
The second half couldn’t have started any better for the Kangaroos as Jayden Baxter barged over the line before three tries in 11 minutes killed off any chance of a Tuggeranong comeback.
Cronan scored his second of the afternoon before Nick Grant received a wonderful inside pass from Brent Crisp to cross the stripe.
Grant went from scorer to provider shortly afterwards as he burst through Tuggeranong’s defence and drawing the last defender before passing to Derek Hay who scored.
Tuggeranong skipper Josh Mitchell scored in the 66th minute to put the Bushrangers on the board but Nukurua Ngere scored the final try of the afternoon on the back of a Tuggeranong error.
The win means that the Kangaroos can seal the minor premiership and a home semi-final with victory against the West Belconnen Warriors next weekend.
Tuggeranong, on the other hand, have succumbed to their second consecutive loss and will be hoping to rediscover their try scoring form before finals.