Tallon Smith

It was a weekend of upsets in the Canberra Raiders Cup over the weekend, with four sides considered by many as underdogs getting the win across the round.

One of the biggest of occurred at Walker Park on Saturday, when the Yass Magpies scraped home with an unlikely 22-20 win over third-placed West Belconnen Warriors courtesy of a Kaidan Bell penalty goal after the siren that sent the home crowd into raptures.

Yass Magpies President Tim Clayton said that it was an incredible day for the club and its long-suffering supporter base after some difficult seasons in the top grade competition.

“The last couple of weeks have really been heading towards a good performance and this week we managed to do it for the 80 against a pretty good side in Westies.

“It was tough, they had to dig deep, we had a guy sent off and we played the second half with only 12 men, then we had two injuries, our bench was down to two, 

“It was a fantastic win, the injuries, the send off, the players just dug so deep, they were so fatigued but they just kept turning up

“Then we get the penalty and we kick it after the hooter, it was like we won the grand final, people were so excited and really really happy for the club.”

In an incredibly even contest, centre Jyi Little starred for the Magpies, scoring three of his side’s four tries to keep Yass in the contest.

However, it was a team performance that won the game for the Magpies, something Clayton said has been building for quite a few weeks, with the side getting stronger as the year goes on.

“It’s been building up over the last two weeks,” he said.

“We went in at home against Woden Valley 10-4 at half time, arguably one of the toughest and best games Yass has played in a while.

“They ran over us in the second half, that’s because we ran out of puff.

“Then we played Woden Valley at Woden Valley and were 6-all at half time, [which was an] outstanding result.

“We just need a bit more depth.”

Part of the story of the famous win was the heroics of their outgoing coach, who continues to give his all for Yass even after agreeing to terms with Cootamundra for next season.

“Luke Berkrey dislocated his shoulder, they popped it back in on the field, and then he continued to pay for about another five to ten minutes, that’s how short of troops we were,” Clayton said.

Looking to other games, Goulburn City Bulldogs picked up their fourth win of the season in perhaps the biggest upset, defeating ladder leaders Queanbeyan Blues 14-12 at the Goulburn Workers Arena.

A penalty goal to halfback Mitch Cornish was the deciding factor, after both sides scored two tries in the defensive encounter.

Fourth-placed Tuggeranong also shocked defending premiers Queanbeyan Roos 18-8 in another physical clash at Seears Workwear Oval. 

The Bushrangers scored three tries through Eddie Tiaina, Lachlan Davis and Jayden Pollard to get one back on side that beat them in the 2023 Grand Final

Finally, in the local derby, the Belconnen United Sharks took the chocolates at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval with a 16-6 win over the Bulls.

Although both sides have had similar seasons in 2025, the Bulls went in as nominal favourites at home, completing the quadrella of upsets in the CRRL.

Peter McDonald Premiership

Dubbo CYMS have continued their strong un of recent form, maintaining their grasp on top spot with a 20-12 win over Dubbo Macquarie in the local derby.

The familiar names of Mitchell Cleary, Jeremy Thurston and Jyie Chapman crossed for the Fishies’ three tries as they beat their arch rivals on Old Boys Day in front of the club’s 1975 premiership side.

Orange Hawks also made the winners’ list with a shock 24-12 win over defending premiers Mudgee at Glen Willow.

Other wins went to Bathurst Panthers 26-20 over Lithgow, Bathurst St Pats 22-14 against Orange CYMS, and Wellington, who defeated Nyngan 38-4 at Nyngan.

Group 2

The Woolgoolga Seahorses have kept their Clayton Cup hopes alive, winning their ninth straight game to start he year 38-8 over the Grafton Ghosts at Frank McGuren Field.

Former Gundagai Tiger Dane O’Hehir continued his strong form with a double, joining Ethan Duncombe and Michael Curnow in scoring two tries.

Looking to other games, second-placed Nambucca Heads had a big win to the tune of 68-14 over South Grafton, while fellow top three side Sawtell also got the spoils 32-4 over the Coffs Harbour Comets in the local derby.

Group 3

The Port Macquarie Sharks have continued their undefeated run with a 24-10 win the Macleay Valley Mustangs in a top of the table clash at Smithtown.

The win sees the Sharks extend their perfect start to the season to 10 games as they chase a second consecutive title.

Other results from across the round saw Wauchope defeat Taree City 40-12, Wingham shut out Forster-Tuncurry 26-0, and Old Bar beat Port City 30-4.

Group 4

North Tamworth picked up a crucial two points in the tight race for the top four in Group 4 courtesy of a 17-16 win over Werris Creek.

The Bears sit third on points differential in a four-way tie for second on 17 competition points with Gunnedah, Werris Creek and Boggabri, with the Moree Boars narrowly out in front on 18 points.

The ladder leading Boars also joined the winners’ list with a 44-12 domination of Boggabri away at Jubilee Oval.

Other results saw Gunnedah score a 64-4 win over Wee Waa and Kootingal get over the top of Dungowan 18-16.

Group 16

The Bega Roosters have picked up their second win of the year in a rescheduled fixture against Batemans Bay 26-14 at Mackay Park.

Tathra won the other match of the washout round with a 30-12 victory over the Cooma Stallions.

Proten Cup

The Ivanhoe Roosters defeated Rankins Springs 20-6 in the Preliminary Final at Ivanhoe on Saturday.

However, the importance of the match is unknown as the outcome Narrandera’s appeal after being removed from the finals is yet to be determined.

Statewide Scoreboard

Canberra

Belconnen 16 defeated Gungahlin 6

Tuggeranong 18 defeated Queanbeyan Roos 8

Yass 22 defeated West Belconnen 20

Goulburn 14 defeated Queanbeyan Roos 12

Central Coast

The Entrance 36 defeated Berkeley Vale 0

Woy Woy 40 defeated Ourimbah 28

Toukley 26 defeated Kincumber 20

Erina 66 defeated Terrigal 6

Illawarra

Dapto 18 defeated De La Salle 4

Collegians 34 defeated Corrimal 8

Wests 28 defeated Thirroul 12

Newcastle

Cessnock 30 defeated Lakes United 6

Wests 40 defeated Northern Hawks 20

Maitland 7 defeated The Entrance 6

Kurri Kurri 24 defeated Wyong 18

Souths 40 defeated Macquarie 18

Northern Rivers

Casino 56 defeated Northern United 12

Cudgen 26 defeated Evans Head 6

Mullumbimby 38 defeated Tweed Coast 0

Murwillumbah 28 defeated Kyogle 14

Bilambil 58 defeated Byron Bay 6

Lismore Marist 30 defeated Lower Clarence 6

Ballina 38 defeated Tweed Heads 16

Group 2

Woolgoolga 38 defeated Grafton 8

Nambucca Heads 68 defeated South Grafton 14

Sawtell 32 defeated Coffs Harbour 4

Group 3

Old Bar 30 defeated Port City 4

Wingham 26 defeated Forster-Tuncurry 0

Wauchope 40 defeated Taree City 12

Port Macquarie 24 defeated Macleay Valley 10

Group 4

North Tamworth 17 defeated Werris Creek 16

Kootingal 18 defeated Dungowan 16

Moree 44 defeated Boggabri 12

Gunnedah 64 defeated Wee Waa 4

Group 7

Kiama 46 defeated Milton-Ulladulla 6

Shellharbour Sharks 16 drew Stingrays 16

Gerringong 28 defeated Albion Park-Oak Flats 4

Berry-Shoalhaven Heads 32 defeated Jamberoo 26

Group 9

Temora 22 defeated Wagga Brothers 10

Wagga Kangaroos 18 defeated Junee 8

Tumut 24 defeated South City 4

Young 22 defeated Gundagai 20

Albury 28 defeated Cootamundra 6

Peter McDonald Premierhip (Group 10/11)

Bathurst Panthers 26 defeated Lithgow 20

Orange Hawks 24 defeated Mudgee 12

Bathurst St Pats 22 defeated Orange CYMS 14

Wellington 38 defeated Nyngan 4

Dubbo CYMS 20 defeated Dubbo Macquarie 12

Group 16 – Washout round

Bega 26 defeated Batemans Bay 14

Tathra 30 defeated Cooma 12

Group 17

Ivanhoe 20 defeated Rankins Springs 6

Group 19

Uralla 28 defeated Guyra 12

Inverell 40 defeated Moree Boomerangs 16

Narwan v Tingha WASHED OUT

Warialda v Glen Innes unknown

Group 20

Darlington Point-Coleambally 50 defeated Leeton 26

Hay 24 defeated Griffith Black & Whites 10

Tullibigeal-Lakes United 24 defeated Yenda 0

Yanco-Wamoon 22 defeated West Wyalong 8

Group 21

Greta-Branxton 58 defeated Muswellbrook 16

Aberdeen 38 defeated Denman 16

Singleton 24 defeated Scone 12

George Tooke Shield

Boorowa 28 defeated Binalong 0

Crookwell 22 defeated Harden 18

North Canberra 32 defeated Googong 0

Bungendore 62 defeated Snowy River 0

Castlereagh League

Dunedoo 44 defeated Baradine 10

Coolah 54 defeated Coonamble 16

Coonabarabran 34 defeated Cobar 28

Narromine 30 defeated Warren 20

Woodbridge Cup

Peak Hill 72 defeated Grenfell 10

Canowindra 36 defeated Cowra 16

Trundle 46 defeated Eugowra 10

Manildra 28 defeated Orange United 18

Condobolin 52 defeated Cargo 18