THE Woden Valley Rams gave their loyal supporters a reason to get on their feet with a stunning upset of the previously unbeaten Queanbeyan Blues on Saturday.
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The Rams turned around a 14-point deficit to run over the top of the Canberra Raiders Cup ladder leaders, holding on for an entertaining 34-30 victory at Phillip Oval.
Flying centre Mitch Vincent displayed all his pace with a double as the Rams improved to a 2-1 record and took advantage of an error-riddled performance by the Blues.
After a disappointing loss in the local derby with the Tuggeranong Bushrangers a week ago, Rams captain Josh Burns lauded his team's ability to get back into the contest.
''We had a tough week last week, it was hyped up and we lost all three grades, so we rallied around this week,'' Burns said. ''It was just about guts and having belief in ourselves. We toughed it out in defence, especially against a quality side like the Blues.''
The Blues were a shadow of the side that opened the season with back-to-back wins against Goulburn Workers Bulldogs and defending premiers Belconnen United Scholars.
Blues coach Simon Woolford admitted his side was guilty of complacency and only had itself to blame for letting the Rams back into the contest. ''I thought even in the warm-up our guys were taking Woden for granted,'' Woolford said.
''When you give away 11 penalties to three you can't win footy games, no matter who you're playing. I just hope our guys learn a lesson from it.''
The Blues were on track for a third straight victory when Sam Langford crossed for his second and his team's fourth in the 25th minute for a 20-6 lead.
But two pieces of individual magic from Vincent in the space of 10 minutes kept the Rams within striking distance.
Both were long-range efforts, the first an 80-metre special followed by a 50-metre effort that gave the Rams their first lead of the game.
Tyler Stevens hit back straight away to put the Blues back in front, only for Rams lock Sam Basham to latch on to a clever grubber kick for the match-winner in the 73rd minute.
The Queanbeyan Kangaroos were down 16-10 at half-time before scoring 28 unanswered points to beat the West Belconnen Warriors 38-16 at Freebody Oval.
The Scholars were just as impressive in the second half to thrash the Gungahlin Bulls 58-18, while the Tuggeranong Bushrangers lost their first game of the year in heartbreaking fashion, conceding a try close to full-time as Goulburn squeezed home 28-24.
AT A GLANCE
Canberra Raiders Cup: Woden Valley Rams 34 bt Queanbeyan Blues 30 at Phillip Oval. Queanbeyan Kangaroos 38 bt West Belconnen Warriors 16 at Freebody Oval. Belconnen United Scholars 58 bt Gungahlin Bulls 18 at Raiders Belconnen. Goulburn Workers Bulldogs 28 bt Tuggeranong Bushrangers 24 at Goulburn Workers Arena.