McInnes Wilson Lawyers Brisbane City beat Western Sydney Rams at Ballymore

Sep 5 • General News, International • 1115 Views • Comments Off on McInnes Wilson Lawyers Brisbane City beat Western Sydney Rams at Ballymore

McInnes Wilson Lawyers Brisbane City have secured their first win of the 2016 Buildcorp National Rugby Championship with a 44-36 victory over the Western Sydney Rams at Ballymore Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Eleven tries were scored in an end-to-end match that saw debutant winger Mitch Felsman cross for a second-half double to seal the victory for the home side.

But City will again be disappointed with their discipline as they endured 30 minutes with 14 men, having received three yellow cards.

Brisbane City’s tries were scored by Alex Gibbon, Lukhan Tui, Sam Talakai, Leroy Houston and Mitch Felsman. The Rams’ were scored by Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Scott Gale, Luke Smart, Tyrone Viiga, Taunaola Kei.

While pleased to get the win, City head coach Rod Seib said his team had plenty of work to do before facing the University of Canberra Vikings at Ballymore next weekend.

“We’ll take the win. It gives us something to work with. We’ve got some momentum now going into a really tough match against Canberra next weekend,” Seib said.

“I thought our effort and work off the ball was much better than last week, but unfortunately our discipline is still letting us down. We can’t keep giving away yellow cards and expect to lead this competition. We certainly have to rectify that.”

The Western Sydney Rams opened the scoring with a try to hooker Paenga-Amosa but five minutes later Brisbane City levelled when Alex Gibbon scored in the corner.

City hit the front when a Nick Frisby box kick was reclaimed by Andrew Ready. From the base of the ruck Frisby hit a steamrolling Tui who powered his way over the try line for City’s second. The home side led by eight after Jake McIntyre nailed the conversion.

With 10 minutes remaining in the half, Rams scrumhalf Gale sniped from the base of the ruck and levelled the scores at 14-14.

City captain Talakai put Brisbane back in front carrying two defenders on his way to the try line.

The Rams responded with a try after the half-time siren had sounded, reducing City’s lead to just two points as the teams headed down the tunnel, 22-20.

Immediately after the break Pettowa Paraka found a hole in the Ram’s defence and offloaded to Number 8 Houston who opened City’s second-half account.

Ram’s Number 8 Tyrone Viiga returned serve with a try of his own, 30-28.

With 20 minutes remaining in the match Brisbane City lodged their claim for try of the week, spreading the ball wide on their own try-line. Replacement winger Mitch Felsman ran the length of the field finishing off the try with a chip and chase to put City ahead by 10.

In the 65th minute Andrew Ready was sent to the sin bin and the Rams capitalised when Kei scored.

Five minutes later, Patrick James through a fine cut-out pass to Felsman who raced away for the final try of the match.

Trailing by eight, the Rams had one last opportunity after the full-time siren had sounded but City’s defence held on ensuring the Horan-Little Shield would stay in Brisbane.

City are at home again next weekend against the University of Canberra Vikings at Ballymore Stadium on Sunday 11 September at 1:00pm. Tickets are available at www.redsrugby.com.au.

McInnes Wilson Lawyers Brisbane City 44 (Alex Gibbon, Lukhan Tui, Sam Talakai, Leroy Houston, Mitch Felsman 2 tries; Jake Mcintyre 3, Mitch Felsman 1 con) defeated Western Sydney Rams 36(Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Scott Gale, Luke Smart, Tyron Viiga, Taunaola Kei; Paul Asquith 3 cons) at Ballymore Stadium on Saturday 3 September, 2016.