Kicking woes cost Queanbeyan

by Andrew Johnston

A missed conversion after the siren from Nic White has denied the Queanbeyan Whites a remarkable come-from-behind victory over the Tuggeranong Vikings at Viking Park on Saturday.

While Tuggeranong held on to prevail 32-31, the result could have been very different after Queanbeyan stormed back into contention from 17 points down in the closing stages.

White's inaccuracy with the boot proved costly for Queanbeyan with the scrumhalf landing just three of his seven shots at goal.

The Vikings looked to have the match wrapped up midway through the second-half when Phoenix Battye, Rodney Iona and Jesse Parahi all crossed for the home side after the break.

But in what was an entertaining and at times spiteful clash, Queanbeyan refused to say die and went over for three tries of their own in a frantic final 13 minutes.

It was a fitting finish to arguably the match of the John I Dent Cup season thus far as last year's grand finalists produced a highly physical contest.

The first-half was particularly hard-fought and neither side proved able to gain the ascendency with the Vikings holding a narrow 10-7 lead at half-time.

Battye's try soon after the break helped to extend Tuggeranong's advantage but the match turned ugly as Queanbeyan lock Matt Hirst was shown a yellow card by referee Andrew Crozier.

Hirst was given his marching orders after a scuffle with Battye that forced the try scorer to the blood bin.

Queanbeyan's pain was eased momentarily when Tom McNamara crossed soon after but Tuggeranong then looked to have secured the win when Iona and Parahi crossed in quick succession.

Having endured a humiliating 28 point defeat at the hands of Tuggeranong earlier this season, Queanbeyan wasn't about to allow a similar blowout as winger Tyler Stevens scored to keep his side in the match.

Their cause was further helped when Tuggeranong captain Beau Mokotupu received the second yellow card of the match after a high tackle with five minutes to play.

The effect of Mokotupu's absence was immediately apparent when Queanbeyan outside-centre Viliami Iongi crashed over from close range.

Having narrowed the gap to within a converted try, the visitors had one last opportunity to snatch an unlikely victory and it was Hirst who turned from villain to hero.

The athletic lock forced his way over right on fulltime to leave White the opportunity to win the match but he could only look on in despair as he hooked his shot wide.