Rams barge through Magpies for first win of the season

The Woden Valley Rams recorded their first win of the season with a strong second-half performance, defeating the Yass Magpies 40-24 at Walker Park.

In their first home game of the season, Yass impressed early and held the Rams to a 12-all scoreline before Woden scored late in the half to take an 18-12 lead into the sheds.

The Rams then pulled away in the second half, sealing their first victory of the year while Yass remains winless after three rounds.

Yass had the dream start when Cody Bell forced an error from Daine Spencer on the kick return, allowing Cooper O’Connor to pounce on the loose ball before Kaidan Bell burrowed over from dummy-half within the opening two minutes.

The Rams responded quickly, with Joe Sale taking a high ball and going the length of the field, beating four defenders to score under the posts.

A penalty gifted Woden field position, and they capitalised through Brendan Jimenez, who sold a dummy and stepped inside to cross, giving the visitors a 12-6 lead.

After a period of back-and-forth sets, Yass found a response through the Bell brothers, with Kaidan chipping behind the line for Cody to score before converting to level the scores at 12-all.

Yass came close to reclaiming the lead when Kaidan Bell threw a long cut-out pass to O’Connor, but Tom Scrivener produced a brilliant cover tackle to deny the try.

Woden had the final say before halftime, with Tomasi Bicaka crashing over from close range to give the Rams an 18-12 lead after Jimenez added the extras.

The Rams struck first after the break, with Josh Fattore selling multiple dummies and beating defenders to score and extend the lead to 24-12.

After earning repeat sets, the Rams added another through Trai Henderson, who muscled over from close range.

Yass responded quickly, regaining possession from a short kick-off before Cody Bell crossed for his second try to cut the deficit to 30-18.

However, Yass handed momentum back to the Rams when a kick sailed out on the full, and Woden capitalised immediately as Bicaka stormed onto an inside ball to score his second under the posts.

The floodgates opened as Woden scored again on their next set, marching downfield with ease before Jimenez sliced through for his second try to push the lead out to 40-18.

Yass had the final say in front of their home crowd, with Cody Bell completing his hat-trick, but it was the Rams' day as they ran out 40-24 winners.