Queanbeyan Blues' win over cross-town rivals the Kangaroos was a family affair with three Woolfords helping maintain their unbeaten Canberra Raiders Cup run.

Blues coach Simon Woolford, his nephew James and son Zac joined forces for the first time in the 34-18 win at Seiffert Oval.

Zac, dubbed 'Virus' in reference to former Raiders hooker Simon's nickname 'Germ', and James 'Bacteria' Woolford were both influential at dummy half.

James played alongside the likes of Kevin Proctor, Jordan McLean, Gareth Widdop and Jesse Bromwich in Melbourne's Storm's under-20 premiership in 2009.

After four years in the Newcastle competition, he couldn't resist the chance to play at the Blues under his uncle this year, where his father Steve also played.

On his 25th birthday, James put the icing on his own cake with a late individual try, which helped thwart a Roos second-half comeback.

"Newcastle is a pretty strong comp and I wanted to keep testing myself down here; my old man played for the Blues and I thought I'd give it a crack," James said.

"I've never played with Zac so it was good to strap the boots on with family.

"With both of us out there it creates a bit more threat around the ruck when the big boys are tired in middle."

Zac, 18, has impressed since being promoted to the Canberra Raiders' under-20 side this year, but has been sent back to the Blues for more game time.

"They want me and [fellow Raiders hooker] Dylan McGrath to play close to a full game each week, so we're rotating into the 20s every three weeks," Zac said.

"I don't mind coming back here [Blues]; I won a premiership with these guys last year.

"[Now I'm at the Raiders] It always comes back to 'your dad is Simon'. It was harder when I was little, but he's all for me trying to make my own name.

"I always joke [with dad] I'll be better than you once I'm done, only time will tell."

The Roos have won two of their first five games but player-coach Aaron Gorrell said their effort to get within 22-18 of the Blues after trailing 22-6 at half-time will give them belief.

"To the boys' credit we did the tough stuff and got back into the game," he said.

"A couple of different bounces of the ball and decisions from our boys, and we probably win.

"Playing the so-called benchmark and getting back in the game shows we're a new team who aren't too far away. "

CANBERRA RAIDERS CUP

Queanbeyan Blues 34 (Tyler Stevens 2, Tom Ruediger 2, Adam Misios, James Woolford tries; Craig Wilkinson 5 goals) bt Queanbeyan Kangaroos 18 (Aaron Gorrell, Adam Pearce, Sione Afemui tries; Jack Miller 3 goals); Gungahlin 22 (Aidan Greenwood, Dwayne Connors, Adam Nedic, Michael Sollis tries; Chris Thorley 3 goals) bt Tuggeranong 6 (Jayden Pollard try, Matt Gruber goal); Woden Valley 42 (Tim Crome 2, Josh Pheeney, Junior Moala, Eddie Jenkins, Kalani Going, Steve Ferry, Jeff Morgan tries; Crome 5 goals) bt Belconnen United 20.

Sunday: Goulburn v West Belconnen Warriors at Workers Arena, 3pm