A fast-finishing Yass Magpies have overcome a half-time deficit against the Gungahlin Bulls to win 24-18 at Gungahlin Enclosed.
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The Bulls gained the early ascendancy through winger Michael Sollies who pounced on perfectly weighted kick from his from half-back Jake Scholes to open the scoring.
The Gungahlin forwards enforced their dominance midway through the half but against the run of play Magpies captain Scott Naughton scored through a swift left edge attack.
The rampaging Bulls piled on two tries through Luke Jones and Sheen Lomax late in the half to take a 14-6 lead into the sheds.
As the temperature dropped at Gungahlin Oval it did nothing to take the wind out of the Magpies' wings.
Yass coach Steven Naughton knew his side would come into the game after half time.
"We started pretty slow but after seeing the guys in the change rooms at half-time I knew the game wasn't over by any means," Naughton said.
Yass big man Shaun Davis kick-started the comeback after capitalising on a comedy of errors and crashing over the line to narrow the gap to four points.
Magpies Co-captain Scott Naughton said the sloppy play got them back in the game.
"We only needed one opportunity, they dropped the ball a few times and it got us in great positions" Naughton said.
Steven Naughton crashed over to take the lead for the Bulls with 15 minutes remaining.
The fast finish continued as Yass centre William Peace bulldozed his way to the line to score and gave the visitors some breathing room by pushing the margin past a converted try.
With the game looking dead and buried Gungahlin Harley Smith-Shields injected life into the Bulls as he scored late and set up a grand stand finish [18-22].
Bulls co-coach David Howell was disappointed his players couldn't make the most of chances late in the game.
"We had a few good chances late in the game but with tired legs and tired bodies we made a few mistakes," Howell said.
That would be all the home side could manage and off the back of a penalty 30 metres out the Yass skipper pointed to the sticks before Shaun Davis iced the game with a successful penalty from distance.
CANBERRA RAIDERS CUP
Saturday: Yass Magpies 24 (Scott naughton, Steven Naughton, Shaun Davis, William Peace) bt Gungahlin Bulls 18 (Michael Sollis, Luke Jones, Sheen Lomax, Harley Smith-Shields), Tuggeranong Bushrangers 44 (Tries: Q Cannon 3, B Bonovan 2, I Afemui, J Heyman, J Pollard, N Chudleigh; Goals: Oakley 3, J Mitchell) bt Belconnen Sharks 24, Queanbeyan Blues 26 (Tries: T Stevens, F Fanifo, B Taueki, M Cullen; Goals: T Campese 3) bt West Belconnen Warriors 16 (Tries: S Tatipata 2, M Kirk, J Brown; Goals: D Eason 4), Queanbeyan Kangaroos 40 (Tries: L Dumas 2, B Crisp 2, J kiely, G Afemui, M Connolly; Goals: B Crisp 4) bt Woden Valley Rams 14.
