Canberra Royals have advanced to next week’s John I Dent Cup Grand Final after repelling a spirited Wests Lions outfit 38-29 at Viking Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Royals opened the scoring with a successful penalty conversion to Captain Pedro Rolando, taking an early 3-0 lead to start the match.
Though it was the Lions who would dominate the first half, with Tomasi Bikaca going over unmarked and steal a 7-3 lead.
The Royals were struggling, giving numerous penalties in the midfield. Wests punishing Canberra with two quick tries in succession. Timoci Sauvoli collecting a try off the back of a rolling maul and Joe Tama going over after some great yardage by the Lion’s forward pack.
Canberra stemmed Wests’ dominance when a powerful Jarrah McLeod run set up a try for Joey Henry out wide to close the gap to 17-8.
Aisake Atani answered with another 5-pointer for the Lions, Declan Meredith converting for a 24-8 lead.
Down with only minutes remaining in the half, the Royals persisted with sneaking points on the board before the halftime hooter. Hooker Liam Bowron running a strong line to head into the main break, down 24-15.
Canberra came out firing to start the second half. The Royals piled on three tries in the space of 10 minutes, fly half Joe Winfield scoring a double inside 5 minutes. Canberra followed it up with a swift try by Rolando, giving his side a commanding 32-24 lead midway through the second half.
The Royals were on the attack again and received a penalty from in front of the posts. Rolando opting for the points to slot a 35-34 lead.
Wests gave themselves a glimmer of hope after Ioelu Pisu got them within a converted try. Though Rolando would have the last say, slotting a long range penalty to hand the Royals a 38-29 victory on Saturday afternoon at Viking Park. The Royals set up a mouthwatering clash against the Tuggeranong Vikings in the John I Dent Cup Grand Final next Saturday.
Canberra Royals 38 (Tries: Joe Winfield 2, Joey Henry, Liam Bowron, Pedro Rolando; Conversions: Pedro Rolando 2; Penalties: Pedro Rolando 3) def. Wests Lions 29 (Tries: Tomasi Bikaca, Timoci Sauvoli, Joe Toma, Aisake Atani; Conversions: Declan Meredith 2)
