The Greater Sydney Rams have made it two from two in the second all-NSW derby by defeating the Sydney Rays 41-26 at Macquarie University on Sunday afternoon.
The match experienced a number of momentum shifts, with the Rams running away with the game
The Rays opened up the scoring in their first match of the year through flyer Latu Latunipulu, finding the corner for his first try of the afternoon.
Greater Sydney were quick to hit back, skipper Jed Holloway finding himself in plenty of space to set up Taqele Naiyaravoro to go over on the wing untouched.
With the Rams on the attack again, Rays fullback Josh Turner stole the ball mid-flight to run 70m for a try of his own, the scores at 12-7 in favour of the home team.
The lead was short lived however, as Rams skipper Jed Holloway and centre Dennis Pili-Gaitau put on a try each in just a few minutes; the score 12-19 over the Rays at the halftime mark.
Last week’s standout Mack Mason proved himself to be a very handy flyhalf once again from his contribution to the first try of the second half – a cross field kick that sat up perfectly for Rams winger John Grant.
The Rays weren’t ready to give up yet, managing to come within three points at 26-29 by scoring back to back tries through Shute Shield excitement machine Paula Balekana and fellow winger, Latu Latunipulu.
A Rays resurgence was short lived however, with tries to Kevin Fuavao and NSW Waratah Hugh Roach securing the Rams’ second win on the trot.
Next week the Rays will take on the Melbourne Rising at Pittwater Rugby Park, while the NSW Country Eagles will head to Fiji to take on the fast-finishing Drua and the Rams to head west to face the Perth Spirit.
Sydney Rays 26 (Tries: L. Latunipulu 2, J. Turner, P. Balekana; Cons: R. Saifoloi 3) defeated by Greater Sydney Rams 41 (Tries: T. Naiyaravoro, J. Holloway, D. Pili-Gaitau, J. Grant, K. Fuavao, H. Roach; Cons: M. Mason 4; Pen Cons: M. Mason; Yellow Card: D. Hickey)
