Round 11 - Colts – Sensational Six in a Row as Whites run riot against Wests
By Brodie Campbell
The Queanbeyan Whites have continued to state their case as premiership contenders in the ACT Vets Colts Cup, marking down their sixth victory in a row in a 34-20 victory over the Western District Lions at Jamison Oval on Saturday.
It’s the true best-case scenario for the Whites team and their fans, as they have managed to well and truly overcome a disappointing start to the season and bounce back in the most emphatic fashion. And it seemed only right that Queanbeyan’s next test to keep the streak going was against the team who they kick started it off with in the West Lions, who the Whites defeated earlier in the season in a round four win against Wests at Jamison Oval, where the visitors would emerge victorious in a 41-12 demolition.
From the opening kick-off, it seemed like history would repeat itself early on as the Whites opened the scoring within the first two minutes of the contest through a brilliant individual try to Colten Mansfield, as found open space down the left side before dummying his way towards the tryline.
The Whites would soon find points again just four minutes later, when Xavier Tuli pushed his way through to extend the lead to 12-0. Wests would manage to shake off the early conceded points, bouncing back with their own two tries to bring the Whites lead down to two points at the 20-minute mark. Despite the scare, the red-hot Whites attack began to click once again as they ran in an unanswered 17 points just before half time to take a commanding 29-10 lead. Kalen Billiards bagged a double for the game, crossing over for two five-pointers in the 22nd and 29th minute, before Niall Tallon went over to score just two minutes out from half time.
The second half would tell a similar story for the Whites, as their sensational attack got them more points right after half time, this time through Colten Mansfield who also secured a double for the game. With the lead now sitting at a comfortable 34-10, the Whites took their foot off the gas a little knowing that victory was well within their grasp. The Lions would cross over for two more tries to bring the lead down to fourteen points, but it appeared to be nothing but consolation for the home side as the Whites managed to repel them from anymore scoring opportunities, securing a 34-20 win.
The win would be the Whites’ sixth victory in a row which brings them within touching distance of the competition’s best sides. The in-form Colts team now sit equal 2nd on the ladder with the Uni-Norths Owls on 32 points, with the Whites only remaining in 3rd for the time being due to points differential. In what shapes to be one of the Whites’ most important games of the season, they will get the chance to take 2nd spot as their own when they go up against the Owls this Saturday at 12:15pm. And as if they needed anymore motivation, the game will be played in front of a home crowd at Campese Oval, so there’ll be plenty of noise being made as we back in our boys to see if they can make it an incredible seven wins in a row.
Tries: Kalen Billiards (2), Colten Mansfield (2), Niall Tallon (1), Xavier Tuli (1). Conv: Zane Glanville (2)