Queanbeyan Kangaroos coach Aaron Gorrell has urged his side to become more ruthless after it nearly let a massive 26-0 half-time lead slip in a 30-28 win over Woden Valley Rams at Phillip Oval on Sunday.
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Expected to easily account for Woden Valley, the Kangaroos were given a huge fright by the youthful Rams who have won just once this year.
A try with two minutes left got the hosts to within two points with three minutes left, but they fell just short of a huge upset.
Defending premiers the Kangaroos were keen to make a statement after their first loss of the year against West Belconnen last week, and for 40 minutes they didn't disappoint.
Gorrell believes this Saturday's top-of-the-table clash against Canberra Raiders Cup joint leaders Queanbeyan Blues is the challenge his side needs.
"We play the team that's in front of us. We're lifting for the good sides and staying at the bottom sides' standards, and it's frustrating,'' he said.
"I keep saying we're not playing well enough and we're dodging bullets but we are. Today was a perfect example. Next week's a good test, the boys are excited about it and we've been lifting our games when we need to.''
Woden Valley coach Cameron Hardy's emotions were a mixture of encouragement and frustration after the match.
"Our turnover rate and unforced errors are terrible. You can't give a team like the Roos that much ball and not expect to get caned for it,'' he said.
"It's the tale of our season, we keep coming alive in the last 15 or 20 minutes, and we can't keep doing it. The boys themselves said straight afterward, we have to be in the contest earlier. At 26-0 I used the cliche in [movie] The Waterboy where Henry Winkler [playing a football coach] walks out the back room, and doesn't know what to say.''
QUEANBEYAN KANGAROOS 30 (Jed Pearce, Fonua Tonga, Jordan Macey, Luke Jones, Troy Whiley, Sione Afemui tries; Macey 3 goals) bt WODEN VALLEY RAMS 28 (Ben Maguire, Jordan Martin, Luke Johnson, Brad Martin, Charlie Hallam tries; Jeff Morgan 4 goals). Saturday's results: Queanbeyan Blues 22 bt Goulburn 12; Gungahlin 30 bt Tuggeranong 16; West Belconnen 22 bt Belconnen United 8.
