The Wests Lions have managed to emerge 41-34 victors in their Elimination final against the Gungahlin Eagles despite having to chase a 10 point deficit with 15 minutes remaining.
The Wests Lions would find points first in the matchup after surviving a Gungahlin siege in their own end and finally being able to make their way up to the other end of Viking Park. A rolling maul translated into points for Wests after their forwards paved the way for a Ioelu Pisu try.
Not long after Gungahliin would launch a successful counterattack as they would pin themselves at the Wests end of the field from kickoff and would eventually cross the line though front rower Folauahola i Makefu Tongia. With both sides converting their tries through Declan Meredith and Jack Hardy respectively, the scoreline was locked at 7-7.
With 20 minutes remaining in the opening half, Wests would double up on Pisu rolling maul tries as an identical effort proved fruitful extending their lead to 12-7.
After managing to camp themselves in Wests territory, preventing multiple exit attempts Gungahlin would eventually cross again as Tongia found himself one on one with Tomasi Bikaca and came off best finding a second try for his efforts.
Taking back their scoreboard lead Wests managed to make another set piece effort worthwhile finding points through a Pisu hat trick. Converted by Meredith Wests would find a narrow 19-12 lead.
Refusing to go into the break at a deficit Gungahlin would head straight back into the Wests red zone and find one more five pointer as it seemed the first half was the front rows time to shine, with Tongia picking up a hat trick of his own. Converted by Hardy the sides would be even heading into the sheds at 19 all.
Opening the second half, Gungahlin would get a scrum opportunity in Wests half which allowed Klayton Thorn to deceitfully wrap around the pack and distribute the ball to winger Hardy. Despite having plenty of work to do, Hardy cruised the rest of the way to the try-line, beating multiple defenders on the way.
Both sides would then trade five-pointers in quick succession as Gungahlin prop Ma'ake Muti would cross but in an exchange with Pisu picking up his fourth score. With Gungahlin adding a to their tally with a penalty goal to Clay Uyen also taking the Eagles lead to 34-24.
With 15 minutes remaining Pisu would push his way through with yet another dominant Wests rolling maul as the Lions hooker miraculously found his fifth try of the match, keeping his side in the chase at 31-34 after a successful conversion.
Staring down the barrel of elimination from the competition Wests would produce another rolling maul try with five minutes remaining this time with number eight Moeaki Toma proving too. strong close to the line as he regained the lead for Wests. Converted by Meredith Wests managed to hold on to a 34-38 lead, added to with a penalty goal as a safety net by Meredith, Wests moved on to the John I Dent Cup Preliminary final.
Wests Lions 41 (Tries: Ioelu Pisu 5, Moeaki Toma; Conversions: Declan Meredith 3; Penalty Goal: Declan Meredith) def. Gungahlin Eagles 34 (Folauahola i Makefu Tongia 3, Jack Hardy, Ma'ake Muti; Conversions: Jack Hardy, Clay Uyen; Penalty Goals: Clay Uyen)
