ACT Third Grade: There was a lot on the line in this match between Goulburn and Wests. The winner would secure third spot, the loser would be in fourth. Wests got off to a far better start to be 12 points up in just the first six minutes, and for the next 50 minutes that remained the score. Then tries to Adam Lachlan and Josh Metz, one of those converted by Mikael Webber, locked up the scores with 12 minutes remaining and Goulburn was really and truly back in the race. Two minutes from full time Wests crossed again for an unconverted try and a five point lead, and it looked like Goulburn’s comeback may have been in vain, but literally in the last minute Michael Cooke crossed for Goulburn, locking up the scores again, presenting Webber with a high pressure conversion kick that he nailed. The result put Goulburn firsts into third position, they’re highest spot this season and a spot they’ll seek to defend when they take on Royals at home in two weeks time.

ACT  Fourth Grade: Kicking again played a major role in this grade as well as Pat Craig’s 100% conversion success rate added a comfortable buffer in this 5 tries to 4 match. Two of Goulburn’s biggest problems weren’t present in this match… the slow start and the last minute capitulation. The Dirty Twos were up 21-17 at the break, and scored two tries to Wests one in the second half. It was a measured, sustained performance that speaks of their growing discipline, patience and self control. Brandon Courts, ageing like a fine wine (presumably a fine Red), ran in two tries, Angus Crockford, Jaxon Miller and Pat Craig ran in one each. The side has next weekend off and will play Royals at home the following weekend.

ACT Women’s 10s: People of a certain age will remember the TV series Dallas where they wrote off a whole season as a dream sequence. Yesterday felt a bit like that as the women’s team put aside the changing of competitions, the weekends where no game was assigned as they fit into the new competition, and the frequent lack of numbers and turned back the clock to be the side that were undefeated 10s premiers in 2024. The Goulburn Women notched up 11 tries – three each to skipper Josephine O’Brien and Emily Stanberg, doubles to Jessie Abnett and Kelsie Crockford and one to rising star Bobby Remington. Leading by 30-5 at the break, they powered on for the 55-15 win that might have been greater but for an injury stoppage. It was a morale booster, a reminder of what this unit can do and possibly a signal to bring players back to the fold. They will play Uni-Norths at ANU North Oval in two weeks, a team they haven’t lost to since 2023, and hopefully have a chance to continue their season revival.