Ten-try Royals surge past Lions to close the regular season

BentSpoke John I Dent Cup — Round 17 · Western Districts Lions 21 Canberra Royals 63 · Jamison Oval, Saturday 8 August

Canberra Royals signed off the regular season in emphatic fashion, running in 10 tries in a 63–21 win over Western Districts Lions at Jamison Oval on Saturday and heading into the finals with plenty to smile about.

This was a team performance in the truest sense, with points coming from right across the park. No.8 Darcy Fogarty and inside centre Jarrah McLeod both bagged doubles, and the rest of the try-scorers read like a full team-sheet: hooker Liam Bowron and tighthead prop Aiesi Siolo up front, flanker Spencer Scott from the back row, and the outside backs chiming in through fly-half Chace Oates , winger Panaua Palemene Tuigamala and fullback Zac Ross .

Oates top-scored with 16 points — a try, four conversions and a penalty goal. In a nice touch, prop Siolo got in on the goal-kicking too, adding a conversion to go with his try.

The Lions competed on their home ground and crossed three times, through Lucas Quester, Tyrece Herniman and David Kolibasoga, with fly-half Jacob Johnson converting all three — but the Royals simply had too much firepower across the field.

It's a timely result for Joe Kolokihakaufisi's men. Attention now turns to finals football, with the John I Dent Cup semi-finals set down for Saturday 15 August at Viking Park.

Royals scorers: Tries — Darcy Fogarty 2, Jarrah McLeod 2, Liam Bowron, Aiesi Siolo, Chace Oates, Spencer Scott, Panaua Palemene Tuigamala, Zac Ross. Conversions — Chace Oates 4, Aiesi Siolo. Penalty goal — Chace Oates.

Check out some action shots from the Wests game thanks to Jerome Freestone