Report by Alyce Giorgioni
The Woden Valley Rams fought back to defeat the Queanbeyan Blues 52 – 30 in a high scoring Sunday afternoon clash.
An early penalty to the Rams helped them down the field for a try to Scott Swanson within the first four minutes. Brayden Robertson added the extra two for a 6 – 0 lead.
The Blues hit back with a try to Cyprian Ale after subsequent sets deep in the Rams half. Terry Campese successfully converted to lock the scores in at 6 – 6.
The Blues took control early as Campese was next to crash over the line to put his team in front with four minutes to go in the first quarter. Campese converted his try for a six-point lead going into the first break.
A lost ball by the Blues gave the Rams possession early in the second quarter in good field position and a good run by Daine Spencer had the Blues on the back foot, but their defence held up and kept the Rams out.
Another error from the Blues gave the Rams the scrum feed but they handed possession straight back to the visitors, and a penalty late in the set helped the Blues march down the field.
After subsequent sets deep in the Rams half, the Blues extended their lead with a long ball to Ale which saw him dive over in the corner for his second of the game. Campese successfully converted from the sideline to extend the lead to 18 – 6 with 10 to go before half time.
The Blues made the Rams pay for their penalty’s as two in a row put them in good field position for Campese to take the two for a score of 20 – 6 with six to go.
Daine Spencer crashed over for the Rams second try of the day late in the first half with just 80 seconds left on the clock. Robertson successfully converted to close in on the Blues lead with a score of 12 – 20 to the visitors going into half time.
Steven Ferry opened the scoring early in the second half for the Rams, and Robertson successfully converted for a score of 18 – 20.
The Blues hit back with a try to Adam Barlow off a line break from Campese, followed by a successful conversion to extend their lead to 26 – 18 with 12 to go in the third quarter.
Luke Ingram crashed over for the Rams off the back of subsequent penalty’s as tensions grew among the teams. Robertson added the two to close in on the blues lead again for a 24 – 26 score.
Rams went back to back with three minutes left in the third quarter when Steven Ferry crashed over as the Rams took the lead for the first time since the eighth minute. Robertson extended the lead with a score of 30 – 26.
The Rams were in control as Daniel Desmet crashed over with seconds left on the clock before the last break, and Robertson added the extra two for a 10 point lead at 36 – 26.
Tyler Jones opened the scoring early in the fourth quarter for the Rams and a successful conversion from Robertson extended the Rams lead to 42 – 26 over the Blues.
A line break and subsequent penalty helped the Rams down the field as Michael Geiger dived over in the corner for a 20 point lead with 11 to go. Robertson couldn’t convert and the scores were left at 46 – 26.
The Rams weren’t done yet as Spencer crashed over for his second try of the day, and a successful conversion from Robertson extended their lead to 52 – 26.
The Blues scored late in the game when Ale crashed over for his third, but an unsuccessful conversion to Parsons left the score at 52 – 30 to finish the game.
