Canberra Royals 1st Grade 32 def. Uni-Norths Owls 1st Grade 26
BentSpoke John I Dent Cup – Round 3
Boomanulla Enclosed Oval 1 – Saturday, May 3, 2025

Canberra Royals have maintained their perfect start to the 2025 BentSpoke John I Dent Cup season, surviving a spirited second-half comeback to secure a hard-fought 32-26 victory over Uni-Norths Owls at Boomanulla Oval on Saturday.

The six-point triumph keeps the Royals unbeaten after three rounds and establishes them as the early pace-setters in this season’s competition, though the Owls proved they remain genuine contenders despite finishing on the wrong side of the ledger.

In a contest featuring no fewer than nine tries, the Royals dominated the early exchanges to establish a commanding lead before the Owls mounted a determined fightback that ultimately fell short.

Royals inside centre Lincoln Smith opened the scoring with a well-taken try, before dynamic winger Caleb Piper dotted down for the home side’s second. Flyhalf Samuel Myburgh added the extras to extend the advantage.

Myburgh, displaying exemplary game management throughout, then slotted a penalty goal to give the Royals additional breathing space as they threatened to run away with the contest.

The Owls appeared shell-shocked as Paddy McInally crossed for the Royals’ third try, again converted by the unerring Myburgh. When number eight Brendan Le Galludec and hooker Cameron Johns both crossed for unconverted five-pointers, the match appeared as good as over.

However, the visitors had other ideas. Hooker Riley Sellars sparked the Owls revival just three minutes into the contest, though Samuel Toa was unable to add the conversion.

The momentum continued to swing in the visitors’ favour when fullback Jordan Thompson crossed in the 25th minute, with Toa making no mistake from the tee to narrow the deficit.

After the break, the Owls resumed where they had left off, with outside centre Ignacio Bonsembiante crossing the whitewash at the 45-minute mark. With Toa again converting, the contest was suddenly very much alive.

The match intensity lifted noticeably as the Owls sensed an unlikely comeback was within reach. The pressure told on Owls winger Issy Vaili, who was shown a yellow card for a professional foul in the 58th minute.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, the visitors continued to press, and their persistence was rewarded when flanker Joshua Reis crossed in the 66th minute. Toa’s conversion brought the Owls within striking distance, but the Royals’ defence stood firm in the final exchanges to secure a valuable victory.

The Royals backrow trio of Clews, Bouquiaux and Le Galludec were influential throughout, though Bouquiaux’s early replacement by Joshua Myburgh due to tactical considerations demonstrated the squad’s impressive depth.

For the visitors, Toa was a standout performer, contributing 11 points from the boot and directing traffic effectively from inside centre. The Owls’ forward pack, led by the industrious Sellars, won several crucial turnovers that kept them in the contest.

The match was not without its casualties, with Royals winger Caleb Piper leaving the field due to injury, replaced by Jesse Bellchambers in a reshuffle of the backline.

Royals coach Joe Kolokihakaufisi will undoubtedly be concerned by his side’s inability to maintain their early dominance, while Owls mentor Lachlan Sole Creighton can take heart from his team’s remarkable resilience despite ultimately falling short.

The victory consolidates the Royals’ position atop the competition ladder as they prepare for next week’s fourth-round encounter, while the Owls will regroup knowing they have the firepower to challenge the competition’s elite.

MATCH DETAILS

Try Scorers:
Royals: Lincoln Smith, Caleb Piper, Paddy McInally, Brendan Le Galludec, Cameron Johns
Owls: Riley Sellars, Jordan Thompson, Ignacio Bonsembiante, Joshua Reis

Conversions:
Royals: Samuel Myburgh (2/4)
Owls: Samuel Toa (3/4)

Penalty Goals:
Royals: Samuel Myburgh (1/1)
Owls: None

Yellow Cards:
Owls: Issy Vaili (58′, professional foul)

TEAM LISTS

Canberra Royals 1st Grade:

1. James Bundy
2. Cameron Johns
3. Samuel Heffernan
4. Spencer Scott
5. Tom Iles
6. Liam Clews
7. Bailey Bouquiaux (Joshua Myburgh)
8. Brendan Le Galludec
9. Sam Crane
10. Samuel Myburgh
11. Caleb Piper (Jesse Bellchambers)
12. Lincoln Smith
13. Joey Henry
14. Paddy McInally
15. Viliami Sipa

Substitutes: Joshua Myburgh, William Cash, Jesse Bellchambers

Coach: Joe Kolokihakaufisi

Uni-Norths Owls 1st Grade:

1. Zeb Maddinson
2. Riley Sellars
3. Te Huia Kutia
4. Max Welborn
5. Deklyn Reid
6. Jasper Simmons
7. Joshua Reis
8. Miller Tauiliili-Pelesasa
9. Ben Roberton
10. Charlie Crozier
11. Kealii Leuluai
12. Samuel Toa
13. Ignacio Bonsembiante
14. Issy Vaili
15. Jordan Thompson

Substitutes: Joshua Friend, Mark Green

Coach: Lachlan Sole Creighton