The Bulls pack is both powerful and mobile, and the ascendancy and space they created for their backs went a long way to setting up an early lead and three first-half tries.

After the break Gungahlin's ill-discipline around the rucks let West Belconnen march up the field to score two tries and even the scores.

But the Bulls pack, led by Dain Smith and Jack Elliot, wrestled back the momentum and set up another try and a six-point lead.

West Belconnen had a final chance to level the game through a penalty on the final whistle. Robert Roberts kicked the ball high, they retained possession and went within an inch of scoring in the corner, but a knock-on over the try-line ensured the Bulls' victory.

Former Raiders junior Smith was the clear standout. His strength and clean hand-skills kept the defence on the backfoot, but his speed with the ball in hand also allowed his backs to play an expansive game.

"He's the leader of our pack, he's had a really good year and he plays like that every week," said Bulls coach Lincoln Withers. "He doesn't speak much, but his actions on the field are really good.

"Our forwards have been outstanding for the last month. They've really laid the platform and they're starting to see the benefits from that."

With just two rounds remaining, Gungahlin have an outside chance to push for a top two finish.

"It's been a while for us to be in the finals, so to cement our spot there is good and hopefully in the next couple of weeks we can build up and hit our straps," Withers said.

West Belconnen captain Matt Gafa said his side gifted too much possession in the first half to their opposition.

"We gave away a lot in the first half, we defended our line strongly, but in the end we had to defend too much – which led to some silly errors.

"They're a good side Gungahlin, they've had some good results all year and it's always a tough game throughout the competition. It doesn't look like it on the ladder, but it doesn't matter who you play, each week it's always a pretty tough game."

West Belconnen now have two games to prepare for a finals campaign.

"We need to start worrying about ourselves, fix a few things and we should be full of confidence heading into the finals," Gafa said.

AT A GLANCE

RAIDERS CUP ROUND 16

GUNGAHLIN BULLS 24 J Iroa, C McAskill, P Glover, J Scholes tries; J Scholes 4 goals bt WEST BELCONNEN 18 A McDonald, R Roberts, R Thomas tries; R Roberts 3 goals

QUEANBEYAN KANGAROOS 30 B Cronan 2, R O'Sullivan 2, K Parsons, T Williams tries; B Crisp 2 L Cooper goals bt TUGGERANONG BUSHRANGERS 14 J Pouono, B Solomon tries; D Morgan-Puterangi 3 goals

YASS MAGPIES 26 K Danilczak, S Naughton, T Gavenlock, P Sparnon tries; T Williams 2, C Rawlinson goals bt BELCONNEN SHARKS 20 L Reis 2, T Sione, M Butz tries; D Eason 2 goals

WODEN VALLEY RAMS 34 J Pheeney 2, R Leapai, T Evans, L Murphy, A Lucas, K Harawira tries; K Harawira 2 R Leapai goals bt GOULBURN 18 J Picker 2, M Picker tries; C Hart 3 goals

QUEANBEYAN UNITED bye