If passion can be measured in yellow cards, this match would have rivalled 50 Shades of Grey. The ref was even handed but quick to jump on any infringement and both sides had three guys given ten minute spells on the bench.

Matches between Hall and Goulburn always come with a bit of feeling attached, and this time around the competition ladder only added to the significance of the result.

Goulburn and Hall were locked on fifth and sixth spot respectively, and with just two rounds remaining before the semis, a win was crucial for both sides to keep their competition hopes alive.

The Reds took the early initiative with first points from skipper Jordan Wilcox seven minutes in, which converted to a 7-0 lead seven minutes in. Ten minutes later Curtis Flood laid on a great try on the back end of structured phase play and shortly before the break Mik Webber dropped on to a pushover try for a half-time lead of 17-0.

So on the scoreboard things were looking good, but on the paddock it was a bit messy. Even with that lead, Goulburn submitted a bunch of unforced errors including a number of passes that were delivered to players shins or to a point just above their heads.

At the break, coach Ben Pearson drummed in the need for the side to cut back their errors and keep their patience in the second half, but it was hall that started the better in the second half.

In fact for the first ten minutes of the second half, the Bushrangers were dominant. The pushover try would demoralise a lot of sides but to their credit, Hall didn’t turn up their toes and played like the match would decide their fate for 2018. Which it would.

Hall’s field position and glut of possession yielded their first try ten minutes into the second half at which point Goulburn went back on the front foot.

The weight of possession told for the Reds this tipper as Wilcox crossed for his second try and ten minutes after that fullback Adam Lachlan crossed for Goulburn. Hall replied with a try in the final few minutes but the result by that time was well beyond reach for them, Goulburn winning 31-10.

The assignment now for Pearson and his troops is to return to composure and discipline they had been developing throughout the season. As Wilcox summed up after the match, they won ugly, but they didn’t have to win ugly.

In this round, the third and fourth placed teams (Queanbeyan and Royals) also played with Royals winning by 28-10. As a result, Goulburn is now most likely in third or fourth spot with Queanbeyan just four points (ie one win) behind. And because God loves his rugby, that’s who the Dirty Reds will be playing in next week’s final round for a grandstand finish… winner takes a spot in the semis.

Jordan Wilcox picked up three best and fairest points as well as the man of the match award. The other best and fairest points went to Jayden Hunt (2) and Curtis Flood (1).

Goulburn 31 (Jordan Wilcox 2, Mik Webber, Curtis Flood, Adam Lachlan tries, Webber 3 conversions) bt Hall 10.

The Dirty Twos eclipsed the second grade record against Hall (previously 57-20 set in 2006) with a whopping 73-17 trouncing of the Bushrangers.

So many tries, so little time. Here’s the short version. 

Goulburn scored lots of tries, Hall didn’t.

Neither side was still in finals contention… but between these two sides there is always pride and bragging rights up for grabs.

As with the first grade games, there was a special on yellow cards, so eager Goulburn shoppers picked up three before they ran out.

Jordan Lees even backed up and got a second yellow (although the first of his was a case of mistaken identity which the ref made note of after the game) but that still resulted in him getting a red for two yellows.

But Lees made up for it with a personal tally of five tries, not to mention three best and fairest points and players player award. Greedy bugger.

Brandon Courts also stood out with nine from 11 conversions.

The other best and fairest points went to Stan Williams (2), Brad Muddiman (1) and Grant Mooney (1).

Goulburn 73 (Jordan Lees 5, Stan Williams, Michael McKillop, Nick Tabner, Brandon Courts, Tangi Tangitamaiti, Kaleb Simons tries, Brandon Courts 9 conversions) bt Hall 17.

CAPTION: Prop Jayden Hunt busts the defensive line in Goulburn's 31-10 win against the Hall Bushrangers. Photos Chris Gordon.