They had just helped the Monaro Colts move one step closer to defending their under 23 country championships title, but this Woden Valley Rams trio wasn't about to rest on their laurels.
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Monaro and Woden coach Ash Barnes and gun players Cleve McGhie and Ron Leapai inspired the Rams to a 34-20 win over the Gungahlin Bulls in the Canberra Raiders Cup at Phillip Oval on Sunday.
It came a day after they fronted up for Monaro in a country championships clash in Wagga Wagga on Saturday.
While neither win was perfect, they don't come much more valuable for two different reasons - one booked a semi-final appearance, and one celebrated a major milestone.
McGhie starred in the back-row for Monaro and took his game to another level in the centres for the Rams in a gutsy win.
"We had Cleve McGhie and Ronny Leapai both back up, those guys went really good [on Saturday] and again [on Sunday].
"Cleve actually got named player's player, so to back up after a tough game, to them come out and get player's player is a credit to Cleve.
"Today was captain Steve Ferry's 50th first grade game for the club, so it was great that the boys got a win for him on his 50th. He's been a stalwart for the club, and it's good to celebrate his 50th with a win.
"It was good to get a win after a couple of losses on the trot. It was a bit of a frustrating first half... we kept shooting ourselves in the foot and completed at about 50 per cent. We kept inviting Gungahlin back into the game which was quite frustrating."
The trio will only have to front up once next week as Monaro play Illawarra in the semi-final at Goulburn Arena on Saturday, with Woden set to enjoy a bye.
While the two Queanbeyan outfits have been labelled the benchmark in the Canberra Raiders Cup, it is West Belconnen sitting alone on top of the ladder after they extended their unbeaten run to five games.
The Warriors toppled the Goulburn Bulldogs 26-12 to remain one game clear of the Queanbeyan Blues at the top of the table at Goulburn Arena.
Blues captain-coach Terry Campese says West Belconnen are the team to beat - and their standing on the ladder proves it.
"Let's be honest, you've got to talk up other teams. You want to fly under the radar, that's what you want to do," Campese said.
"They're just trying to shift all the pressure off themselves and put it onto us. Westies are still undefeated and they towelled us up by 40.
"Anyone can win on their day, Woden knocked off Roos and then Westies towelled us up. It's just one of those years where you've just got to turn up with the right attitude each week."
It comes after the Blues hung onto their place in the top two with a 38-22 win over the Queanbeyan Kangaroos at Seiffert Oval on Saturday.
The Tuggeranong Bushrangers returned to winning ways with a crushing 40-10 victory against the Belconnen United Sharks at O'Connor Oval.
AT A GLANCE
Canberra Raiders Cup - WODEN VALLEY RAMS 34 (M Gilmour, C McGhie, J McKenzie, J Moala, J Morgan, K Vaetoe tries; J Morgan 3, R Leapai 2 goals) bt GUNGAHLIN BULLS 20
WEST BELCONNEN WARRIORS 26 (T Aroha-Tuinauvai, L Afa, H Brown, R Thomas, M Campbell tries; M Campbell 3 goals) bt GOULBURN BULLDOGS 12 (J Fattore 2 tries; C Hart 2 goals)
