Tallon Smith
The Queanbeyan Blues have taken out the 2025 Canberra Raiders Cup premiership after a 28-26 win over cross-town rivals Queanbeyan Roos in the Grand Final at Seiffert Oval on Saturday.
Halfback Dylan McLachlan starred for the Blues, with two tries in a man of the match performance that steered his side to victory in a thrilling five tries-all affair.
The Blues took an early 12-0 lead through tries to McLachlan and Jack Anderson, before Roos’ Harlem Cooper received a ball from Lachlan Ingram to reduce the gap to 6.
A quick-fire double to Rob Sheppard saw the Roos take a 14-12 lead to the sheds, before another try Lucas Thomson extended that lead to 20-12 after the break.
The two sides traded tries to see the scoreline reach 26-18, before the Blues rallied late with Uasi Leota scoring to cut the margin to four with five minutes left.
Then, with the clock winding down, McLachlan stepped off his left foot to race in under the posts and seal the deal for the Blues with a late 28-26 victory, much to the delight of the club’s faithful at their home ground.
In the Reserve Grade competition, the Gungahlin Bulls secured the premiership with a 14-4 win over the Yass Magpies.
The Bulls’ 10-point win avenged a 32-26 loss to the Woden Valley Rams in last year’s Grand Final.
Meanwhile, the West Belconnen Warriors secured the Katrina Fanning Shield title with a massive 40-6 win over the Belconnen United Sharks.
Four tries each to centre Gabrielle Savage and lock Aaliyah Lomas saw the Warriors run away with the match and the premiership with a strong victory.
The Goulburn City Bulldogs also enjoyed success on the day with a 22-4 win over the Bulls in the Under 19s Grand Final.
Tries to Mac Ferris, Malachi Tomlinson and Toby Ferris, along with a try and three goals to fullback Levi Woods saw the Bulldogs reign supreme on the day to take home the title.
Finally, Gungahlin opened the day with a 10-0 win over the Woden Valley Rams in the Ladies League Tag decider.
Two tries to Ashley Preston and Lahni Hall were enough for the Bulls to secure victory and a second premiership in season 2025.
UPDATE – Bungendore Tigers claim George Tooke Shield Crown
The Bungendore Tigers have taken out the 2025 George Tooke Shield Premiership with a 18-16 win over the Harden Hawks in the Grand Final at their home ground of Mick Sherd Oval on Saturday, September 20.
After both sides crossed for three tries and kicked two conversions, it was a Zach Smith penalty goal which saw Bungendore claim a second successive title in dramatic fashion.
Tryscorers for Bungendore were Michael Gordon, Harry Buckley and Daniel Jacobs, while a double to fullback Jack Nicolls accounted for two of Harden’s three four-pointers, with Thomas McIllhatton scoring the other.
It was a different story for Harden in the league tag decider, with the Hawkettes claming yet another premiership with a 20-18 win over the Crookwell Green Devils.
Tamsyn Ritchie crossed for two of Harden’s four tries in the narrow victory, which proved the difference in securing the two-point victory.
