Powerful Uni-Norths Owls No.8 Nick Jones emerged as a two-try hero to launch his team's John I Dent Cup finals hopes and his coach says the 24-year-old is ready to chase a National Rugby Championship berth.
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Jones scored a second-half double as the Owls repelled a Wests fightback at Jamison Oval on Saturday to get a crucial 29-19 win to keep them within reach of a top-four spot.
His tries had the reverse effect on the struggling Wests, who are anchored to the bottom of the ladder and remain winless after four games this year.
Jones is in his fourth season with the Owls and was a surprise contender for the top individual award in Canberra's premier division as the best player in the competition.
Coach Dan Hooper says he can make the jump into Canberra's NRC set-up, which is likely to be called the Kookaburras this year, and his performance against Wests was another step to his goal.
"He's really starting to come into his own now, he's been fantastic for us and one of our longest-serving players," Hooper said.
"He's been the one getting us out of trouble and I'd hope to see him get some higher honours this year, I think he's good enough to do that. Whether that's NRC or the ACT Griffins, he's good enough for that level.
"Hopefully his performances in the first five rounds have got people taking notice."
The Owls are now just three points behind defending champions Royals and the Gungahlin Eagles as they aim to break a long-standing finals drought.
They scored two tries in each half against Wests to set up their win, but had to hold on through a tense 15-minute wave of attack from the home side before Jones scored his two tries to clinch the win.
"I'm just happy to be playing under Hoops, I think he's really taking this team forward and life is easy for everyone when we do our jobs," Jones said. "I love coming to play on a Saturday so making that next step would be great, but I love playing for the Owls."
Wests are languishing at the bottom of the table as the surprise last-placed team following a tough start to the year.
Their scrum was absolutely dominant against the Owls, and it delivered an important penalty try in the second half to close the gap to just three points with 15 minutes remaining.
But too many errors cost them any hope of snapping their losing streak and rising off the canvas.
Coach Craig Robberds has implored his players to restore pride in the jersey and find a way to end their woes. Skipper Peter Raines says it's now up to the players to respond.
"It's the same stuff each week, we make too many errors and don't finish off the things we create," Raines said.
"In my time here we've never been in this situation. We still think we've got some things we can rectify ... Robbo has put it back on us and now it's up to us to execute."
AT A GLANCE
John I Dent Cup: UNI-NORTHS OWLS 29 (C Hablutzel 2, N Jones 2 tries; S Irwin 2 conversions, penalty) bt WESTS 19 (L Morrison, J Pio, penalty try tries; L Morrison 2 conversions), TUGGERANONG VIKINGS 34 bt EASTS 7, QUEANBEYAN WHITES 17 bt ROYALS 6.
Reserve grade: Uni-Norths Owls 25 bt Wests 14, Tuggeranong Vikings 26 bt Easts 17, Queanbeyan Whites 43 bt Royals 12.
Colts: Wests 41 bt Uni-Norths Owls 5, Tuggeranong Vikings 83 bt Easts 0, Royals 24 bt Queanbeyan Whites 17.
First division first grade: Uni-Norths Owls 36 bt Wests 5, Goulburn 41 bt Cooma 26, Tuggeranong Vikings 29 bt Easts 14, Queanbeyan Whites 24 bt Royals 14, Gungahlin Eagles 41 bt Young 14.
Second grade: Wests 52 bt Uni-Norths Owls 0, Cooma 31 bt Goulburn 26, Queanbeyan Whites 24 bt Royals 19, Gungahlin Eagles 26 bt Young 10.
Women's division: Tuggeranong ViQueens 19 drew with Uni-Norths Owls 19.
