RUGBY UNION: It's the last game of the regular season, Queanbeyan are fresh off of a two-point victory over Wests and looking to defeat Uni-Norths this Saturday, retain the Pat Matthews Cup and secure second spot on the ladder ahead of finals.
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The Whites were down 15-3 at half-time and trailed by as much as 15-points in the second half against Wests.
A yellow card to Wests allowed Queanbeyan to score their first try through JR Morgan to reduce the margin to eight-points.
Sokai Tai found his way over the try-line to bring the away team to within one point.
It was third time lucky for Whites scrum-half Mitch Douch, who missed two chances at a game-winning penalty goal, but nailed the third for a thrilling 20-18 win.
Whites coach Adam Fahey said he was pleased with the determination his team showed against Wests, but now looks to Saturday's clash with Uni-North.
"Our ability to hang in there and remain composed throughout the game and hammer it home was a real test of character and a great trait to take into finals in the coming weeks," he said.
"We'll try and knock this game over, secure second spot and then look to tackle Tuggeranong in the first week of the finals.
"It's our last home game, there's a significance with the Pat Matthews Cup and it would be a confidence booster to win some silverware ahead of the finals."
When they last met, in round 15, Tuggeranong handed the Whites a 28-point loss, but Fahey said the club took it as a "blessing in disguise".
"[The Vikings match] showed us where we've got to be to win it this year and we're taking [the loss] as a positive," he said.
"We've been very consistent this year and with the way we've played I'm very confident with what we've done.
"Finals always has a lot of pressure, it's how individuals and teams respond to that pressure that determines the outcome."
