The Queanbeyan Blues' match against the Yass Magpies on Saturday should have been a straightforward affair. It should have been a chance to strengthen their position near the top of the ladder.
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On paper, it should have been many things, but it was none of them.
Instead, what took place was a classic match which saw the lead change hands repeatedly, jaw-dropping tries scored, and the Magpies upset the Blues 36-32.
Queanbeyan came into the encounter with strong form under its belt. Previous wins over the Woden Rams, the Belconnen United Sharks, and the West Belconnen Warriors had ensured the Blues second place on the ladder.
Meanwhile, Yass were in the midst of an eight-match losing streak, and only one win for the season meant that they were the undisputed wooden-spooners of 2019 so far.
But it was grit - sheer, unadulterated grit - which saw the Magpies claw their way back into the fold each time they stumbled.
The match seemed over with ten minutes to go, when Queanbeyan led 22-32 and appeared to have wrested the momentum for good.
But a spectacular try from Yass fullback Bayley Maher, in combination with Jordan Mecham-Crane, started a resurgence from the home side.
The Magpies ensured victory with a last-minute penalty goal, and though the Blues tried for a miracle victory during the final set, it was too little, too late.
After the loss, Queanbeyan has fallen to third position on the ladder, behind Tuggeranong and Goulburn, and ahead of the Woden Rams due to their for and against margin.
This weekend, the Blues will play the Gungahlin Bulls at Seiffert Oval.
