Woden junior Lincoln Withers couldn't spoil the Rams' 50th anniversary celebrations as the home side stole a 34-26 victory over the Gungahlin Bulls at Phillip Oval on Saturday.
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Withers is coach of the Bulls and was left to lament what could have been as his side squandered an early second-half lead, out-enthused by a youthful Woden outfit.
"Couldn't do that to them," Withers laughed after the Bulls failed to rain on Woden's parade.
"I just think they ran a little bit harder than us and tackled a little bit harder, and probably took their opportunities when they were there.
"We didn't set up anything today. Normally we're a bit more clinical than that, we just weren't."
Woden's proud 50-year tradition is woven throughout three generations of the Withers family, with the former NRL player's two sons now wearing the same colours as not only their father, but their grandfather as well.
"It was good to see the fifty years for the Rams, and a real proud tradition," Withers said.
"Their boys played really well, I thought they had a good backing, and they stepped up. They were probably the better team today."
Woden coach Ashley Barnes mused it must have been quite different for Withers to be coaching against the blue and gold, and was proud his side were able to snap a five-game losing streak.
"Its been a long time coming," Barnes said.
"To their credit, the boys have been working every single week, turning up and working really hard to turn that around, and it's come today on a very important weekend for the club, which is great."
With many ex-Rams travelling from interstate, Barnes believed his side was due for a big performance on such a proud day.
"We've sort of been gearing towards a big weekend this weekend," he said.
"We definitely wanted to be able to get the win, not only for our season, but for the people that have put so much into the club in the past."
Boasting an average age of around 21 across their senior squad, the Rams have been intent on promoting the next generation of talent this season.
It was fitting then, that young five-eighth George House - a Ram since the age of six - provided the spark, setting up his side's first try and dancing his way over the line for one of his own.
With scores locked at 22-all later in the match, House broke through the Bulls' defensive line to get the hosts on the front foot, before two tries in five minutes gave Woden an unassailable lead.
A late try to Gungahlin wasn't enough as their five-game unbeaten run came to an end.
Barnes knows the task doesn't get any easier next week against another competition heavyweight in Goulburn.
"I'm sure the boys will be looking forward to that, bouncing to kick on from today to start trying to put a couple on the trot, but they'll be a good side," he said.
"They've got some really good players, and we definitely have to be better than we were today."
AT A GLANCE
Canberra Raiders Cup: QUEANBEYAN KANGAROOS 28 (B Crisp, A Gorrell, S Meke, A Pearce, T Whiley tries; B Crisp 4 goals) defeated WEST BELCONNEN WARRIORS 22 (A Greenwood, L Saipani, T Sloman, R Thomas tries; R Roberts 3 goals), WODEN VALLEY RAMS 34 (G House, D Roberts, D Pangai, M Geiger, S Ferry, G Crapp tries; K Harawira 5 goals) defeated GUNGAHLIN BULLS 26 (D Low, T Munokoa, R O'Sullivan, D Smith, B Woods tries; J Scholes 3 goals)
Second grade: WODEN VALLEY RAMS 16 drew GUNGAHLIN BULLS 16, QUEANBEYAN KANGAROOS 38 def WEST BELCONNEN WARRIORS 36.
UNDER 18s: GUNGAHLIN BULLS 38 def WODEN VALLEY RAMS 24, WEST BELCONNEN WARRIORS 28 def QUEANBEYAN KANGAROOS 24
Ladies League tag: TUGGERANONG BUSHRANGERS 58 def WODEN VALLEY RAMS 6
Women's under-18s: ILLAWARRA 16 def CANBERRA 14
