RUGBY LEAGUE: The Queanbeyan Blues picked holes in the game of finals hopefuls Woden Valley in a 24 to 10 wet weather victory at Phillip Oval on Sunday.
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Blues scored early in the match, but the Rams, despite trailing all match, were still hot on the heels of the reigning premiers.
It was only in the last 10 minutes that the Blues were able to stretch out to the 14-point margin.
"It wasn't a comfortable win- it was only when we got 14 (points) clear that I (was comfortable), we were never far enough in front," Blues coach Simon Woolford said.
"They were poor conditions, but we still wanted to play some footy.
"The guys balanced that well- knowing when to play footy and when to just tuck it under their arm.
"But we were just good enough on the day, that's what it came down to."
Tom Ruediger's double helped the Blues over the line and Aaron McInness had a blinder, Woolford said.
"Our forwards had the best game I'd ever seen them play- they dominated.
"Aaron played the best I'd seen him play, he really stepped up.
"Marc Herbert directed everyone well and Jake Wheeler was good against his old team."
Woolford said the Blues by no means have the perfect performances, especially not this early in the season, but have started strongly.
"It wasn't really a game to look at areas of improvement- I think we did really well," he said.
"But structually we're still going to need to improve on our effectiveness and defence."
The Blues face a 2014 grand final rematch as they take on the Goulburn Workers Bulldogs at Seiffert Oval on May 2.
Goulburn have also had a strong start to their season, sitting top of the table on percentage and looking to keep that run going.
Woolford said the Bulldogs will be looking for a win regardless of last year's disappointment.
"People always talk about those games and I don't think they'll be looking to 'one-up' us based on last year's grand final," he said.
"We'll be looking to one-up each other for the mental edge for 2015, not for what happened last season.
"If we keep improving there's no reason to be intimidated or think we can't win- we've been playing well as a team, but it is still early in the year."
