Canberra Royals 31 def. Tuggeranong Vikings 12
BentSpoke John I Dent Cup – Round 15
Phillip Oval – Saturday, July 26, 2025
By Canberra Royals

Match Overview

The Canberra Royals have delivered their most emphatic performance of the 2025 BentSpoke John I Dent Cup season, dismantling cross-town rivals Tuggeranong Vikings 31-12 at Phillip Oval in a Round 15 encounter that showcased the depth and attacking prowess that has defined their campaign.

This comprehensive victory represents a significant bounce-back from last week’s narrow defeat to Western District Lions, with the Royals producing seven tries to two in a display that will have sent a clear message to their finals rivals with just weeks remaining in the regular season.

Heffernan’s Masterclass

The star of the afternoon was undoubtedly prop Samuel Heffernan, who crashed over for a brilliant double that epitomised the Royals’ forward dominance. His first try in the 36th minute, converted by the reliable Chace Oates, capped off a period of sustained pressure that had already seen the home side establish a commanding lead.

Heffernan’s second effort in the 45th minute demonstrated the kind of close-range power that has become a hallmark of the Royals’ set-piece attack this season. The young front-rower’s performance was all the more impressive given he had been used as a tactical substitute in earlier rounds, underlining the incredible depth within Joe Kolokihakaufisi’s squad.

Early Dominance Sets Tone

The match was effectively decided in a blistering opening quarter that saw the Royals race to a 14-0 lead. Fullback Chace Oates opened the scoring with a well-taken try that he converted himself, before the Vikings briefly threatened with a converted try to Louis Bartley-Saena (opposition) in the 20th minute.

However, any hopes of a Vikings fightback were quickly extinguished as the Royals’ attacking machine clicked into top gear. Lincoln Smith’s 38th-minute try showcased the kind of clinical finishing that has made the Royals such a potent attacking force throughout 2025, while Daniel Nelson’s 53rd-minute effort demonstrated the team’s ability to maintain intensity across the full 80 minutes.

Disciplinary Concerns

The match was not without its flashpoints, with both sides receiving yellow cards for foul play. Darcy Fogarty’s early sin-bin was followed later by cards to Rhys Griffiths (opposition) and Amaani Vercoe-Aoina (opposition), highlighting the intense derby atmosphere that always accompanies clashes between these cross-town rivals.

Season Context and Finals Implications

This dominant display comes at a crucial juncture in the Royals’ season. After suffering consecutive losses to Uni-Norths Owls and Western District Lions in Rounds 11 and 14 respectively, questions had begun to emerge about the team’s ability to maintain their early-season form heading into the business end of the campaign.

The comprehensive nature of this victory – their biggest winning margin since earlier in the season – suggests the Royals have rediscovered the attacking fluency that saw them score 36 points against both Western District Lions and Gungahlin Eagles earlier in the season.

With the Vikings having pushed the Royals to the limit in their Round 8 encounter at Viking Park – a thrilling 36-35 victory for the visitors – this 19-point turnaround demonstrates the significant improvement in the Royals’ defensive structures and set-piece execution.

Looking Ahead

The late try to Yoshiaki Taniguchi (opposition) in the 74th minute provided little consolation for the Vikings, who will rue their inability to build on Bartley-Saena’s early score. For the Royals, the victory maintains their position among the competition’s elite as the race for finals positions intensifies.

With Oates contributing 11 points through his try and three conversions, and the forward pack providing the platform for sustained attacking pressure, this performance suggests the Royals are peaking at exactly the right time. The sight of Heffernan powering over twice will have opposition coaches taking note as the finals series approaches.

As the regular season enters its final phase, this commanding derby victory positions the Royals perfectly for what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 BentSpoke John I Dent Cup campaign.

MATCH DETAILS

Try Scorers:
Royals: Samuel Heffernan (2), Chace Oates, Lincoln Smith, Daniel Nelson
Vikings: Louis Bartley-Saena (opposition), Yoshiaki Taniguchi (opposition)

Conversions:
Royals: Chace Oates (3/5)
Vikings: Louis Bartley-Saena (opposition) (1/2)

Penalty Goals:
Royals: None
Vikings: None

Cards:
Yellow: Darcy Fogarty (Royals – Foul Play), Rhys Griffiths (opposition – Foul Play), Amaani Vercoe-Aoina (opposition – Foul Play)