By Tallon Smith

The Yass Magpies have lifted themselves off the bottom of the Canberra Rugby League ladder with a 28-24 win over the Gungahlin Bulls at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval on Saturday.

The win, which relegates Gungahlin to last place, was an amazing team effort, with five different try scorers crossing the line for the Magpies’ six tries, with the side’s 2 from 6 goal kicking effort no worse than their opponents’ 2 from 5.

Yass Magpies President Tim Clayton said that the win has been coming for a while, with the team pushing many sides all the way in recent games.

“The side’s been knocking on the door for a win realistically for the last three weeks,” he said.

“[In] the last eleven minutes we came up with three tries to get us over the line.

“It was very pleasing, they went back to what they did well, the game plan that Adam had set up for them, their discipline was good and they completed their sets and were really positive in their defence and attack.

As for the difference compared to some of the side’s close losses, Clayton said the team put themselves in good positions and the bounce of the ball was favourable to the Yass outfit.

“Everything stuck for a change, there were a few little kicks over that we regathered,” he said.

“Everybody backed up and supported each other in those sort of last 11 minutes, which was really good, really pleasing.”

This coming weekend sees the Magpies take their winning form into a clash with the second placed Queanbeyan Blues at Seiffert Oval.

The matchday begins with Ladies League Tag at 9:30am, with First Grade set to kick off at 3pm.

Meanwhile in other games over the weekend, West Belconnen scored a narrow 22-18 win over Tuggeranong, while the Queanbeyan Blues defeated Belconnen 32-26 and premiership favourites Woden Valley thumped Goulburn City 40-10.

Aside from Yass’ clash with Blues, other games this coming weekend sees Tuggeranong host Goulburn, West Belconnen travel to Gungahlin and ladder leaders Woden Valley face defending premiers Queanbeyan Roos, with Belconnen having the bye.

Five rounds remain before finals, with six teams still a realistic chance of making the top four.

An extended chat with Yass Magpies President Tim Clayton covering all grades is available in this week’s edition of the Yass Valley Times.