Opposition 35 def. Canberra Royals Premier 15s 28
BentSpoke Premier 15s – Round 8
Phillip Oval – Saturday, June 14, 2025
By Canberra Royals

The Canberra Royals Women’s Premier 15s side suffered a heartbreaking 35-28 defeat at Phillip Oval on Saturday afternoon.

Despite the narrow defeat, there were numerous positives to take from what was arguably the team’s most complete performance of the season, with the side showing tremendous character to fight back from an early deficit.

The home side opened the scoring through winger Hayley Taylor-Young, with flyhalf Janiana Ravu adding the conversion to give the Royals a 7-0 lead. The home advantage continued when half Bonnie Brewer powered over for the second try, again converted by the reliable Ravu as the Royals led 14-0.

Centre Victoria Phelps extended the advantage with a well-taken try, with Ravu maintaining her perfect record from the tee to push the score to 21-0. Winger Ella Boundy completed the scoring for the Royals, with Ravu adding her fourth conversion.

The visitors continued their fightback when winger Jacquiline Pele crossed in the 24th minute, with Vuata again off-target as the deficit reduced to 28-10. Pele completed her double in the 30th minute, with another unsuccessful conversion keeping the score at 28-15.

Substitute Elsie Ford, who had replaced the injured Jade Lynn Burdeyny in the 9th minute, added the visitors’ fourth try in the 26th minute. Vuata’s conversion attempt was again unsuccessful as they trailed 28-20.

Prop Rosina Tupua powered over in the 36th minute, with flyhalf Reese Vidler unable to add the conversion as the visitors closed to within 28-25. The comeback was completed when hooker Jessie Abnett crossed in the 42nd minute, though Vuata’s conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the visitors trailing 28-30.

The decisive score came through centre Niamh Billiards in the 55th minute, with kicker Thalia Uilelea unable to convert as the visitors completed a remarkable comeback to secure a 35-28 victory.

Multiple pre-match tactical substitutions saw Bonnie Brewer, Luci Wilson, Jane Phelps, Olivia Hillard, Tess Vandenbergh, Niamh Smith, Lucy Russell, and Brooke Osborne all feature in various combinations.

Despite the disappointment of the loss, there were outstanding individual performances throughout the Royals lineup. Ravu’s perfect goal-kicking display in the first half was exemplary, while the try-scoring contributions from Taylor-Young, Brewer, Phelps, and Boundy demonstrated the team’s attacking threats.

The performance highlighted both the potential within the squad and areas for improvement, particularly in maintaining intensity and discipline in the second half of matches.

MATCH DETAILS

Try Scorers:
Royals: Hayley Taylor-Young, Bonnie Brewer, Victoria Phelps, Ella Boundy
Opposition: Clementine Utumapu, Jacquiline Pele (2), Elsie Ford, Rosina Tupua, Jessie Abnett, Niamh Billiards

Conversions:
Royals: Janiana Ravu (4/4)
Opposition: None successful (0/7)

Penalty Goals:
Royals: None
Opposition: None

TEAM CHANGES

Canberra Royals Premier 15s:

Injury Substitutions:
Jade Lynn Burdeyny (replaced by Elsie Ford – 9min)

Tactical Substitutions:
Multiple in-game tactical changes including Bonnie Brewer, Luci Wilson, Jane Phelps, Olivia Hillard, Tess Vandenbergh, Niamh Smith, Lucy Russell, Brooke Osborne

Coach: Darren Goodwin
Assistant Coach: Justin Vandenbergh