Rams crush the Vikings

Rams crush the Vikings
September 22, 2007

WESTERN Sydney Rams consolidated their position on top of the Australian Rugby Championship ladder with a comprehensive 51-17 victory against Canberra Vikings at Parramatta Stadium today.

The Rams shrugged off an injury-plagued week to cross for seven tries, with centre Rory Sidey and prop Ben Alexander bagging two apiece.

Alexander claimed man-of-the-match honours as the highly ranked Vikings were restricted to three tries.

The win sees the Rams move to 26 competition points, six clear of nearest rival Melbourne, which was thumped 55-7 by Central Coast Rays in Melbourne earlier today.

Perth Spirit is the only team capable of threatening the Rams for the minor premiership, with the two sides to face off at Parramatta Stadium next Saturday night.

Spirit must defeat Ballymore in Brisbane tomorrow to have a chance of claiming top spot.

AAP

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Rampant Rams crush Canberra
22/09/2007 9:51:41 PM
Steve Orme
Sportal


The Western Sydney Rams have maintained top spot on the Mazda ARC ladder with a scintillating 51-17 victory over the second-place Canberra Vikings at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday night.

Western Sydney produced a near faultless attacking display, piling on seven tries - four in the first half - to delight the home crowd and secure a semi-finals berth.

Man-of-match Ben Alexander led the charge up-front, scoring two tries and laying the platform for the Ram's brilliant backline, which threatened to score with every touch.

The visitors were gallant in defeat managing three first-half tries, but now face the prospect of a must-win showdown with the Melbourne Rebels at Olympic Park in round-eight to secure a spot in the semi-finals.

Both teams showcased their attacking flair in a thrilling first half that produced seven tries in total.

The Rams had the best of the opening exchanges to lead 8-0 after 10 minutes when Centre Rory Sidey crossed in the corner on the back of some enterprising play.

To make matters worse for the visitors, flanker Julian Salvi was shown a yellow card for a professional foul in the 13th minute - Ben Martin kicked the penalty goal to extend to 11-3.

Canberra opened its account soon after when flyhalf Christian Lealiifano sliced through to put Anthony Faingaa in under the posts. Faingaa added the extras to make it 11-7.

The Rams hit back minutes later with a brilliant long range effort which saw electrifying winger Lachie Turner put Sidey into open space for his second try right on 20 minutes to lead 18-7.

The back and forth action continued with Vikings flyer Eddie McLaughlin crossing in the 23rd minute to make it 18-12.

Canberra gained a further boost when Rams centre Luke Johnson was yellow carded a minute later for a professional foul. The Vikings capitalised on the extra man in the 25th minute when Jone Tawake crashed over in the corner to draw within a point 18-17.

But two-tries in five-minutes to Alexander in saw the Rams pull away to lead 30-17 at the break.

Two tries in as many minutes to Lachie Turner and Hugh Perrett put the result beyond doubt 10 minutes into the second half.

:( I am having no luck with my teams winning in the last 24 hours or so!!

Rams are awesome. Inaugural ARC winners, give 'em the cup now.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

ewe sound like a Kiwi

You write like one!!