Queanbeyan Blues reserve grade captain Simon Holstein. Photo: Andrew Johnston
Canberra Raiders Cup reserve grade, grand final
Who: Queanbeyan Blues v Goulburn Workers Bulldogs
Where: Seiffert Oval
When: Sunday, 1.10pm
THE Queanbeyan Blues will face off in an emotional grand final showdown against the Goulburn Workers Bulldogs on Sunday, two weeks after the death of club stalwart Jay Lasscock.
The Blues moved through to the decider after a thumping 54-18 victory over cross-town rivals the Queanbeyan Kangaroos at Seiffert Oval last Saturday.
Both teams paused for a minute’s silence before kick off in honour of Lasscock’s memory before the Blues set about demolishing the Roos in the side’s most dominant performance of the season.
“Tuesday night in the lead-up the boys were pretty quiet,” Blues coach Ronnie Hoare said of the team’s preparation for last weekend’s clash. “The minute’s silence before the game obviously brought the emotions back but the boys played with plenty of composure given the circumstances.
“It was obviously and emotional week and they club’s been gutted but there was no way in the world we were going to lose that one for Jay.”
Blues captain Simon Holstein led the way for the side, grabbing a double as did veteran Phil Stonham while flyer Eddie Jenkins finished with a personal haul of 20 points from one try and eight goals.
This weekend’s opponents Goulburn qualified for the decider after a 36-4 victory over the Kangaroos in the first week of the finals and as minor premiers, will carry the favouritism tag into Sunday’s grand final.
The Blues and Bulldogs split their two regular season encounters at one apiece with the Blues emerging 24-10 victors the last time the two sides met in round 12.
After a difficult season in which the club has been forced to battle a host of injury concerns and player unavailability, Queanbeyan should be at full strength for the grand final.
