The Wests Lions have claimed a miracle comeback win over the Queanbeyan Whites after Declan Meredith slotted man extra-time conversion to secure the 36-34 home victory at Jamison Oval this afternoon.
Queanbeyan would waste no time in their visit to Jamison Oval as they managed to get on the board first in the first minute of the match after Riley Turner made a mammoth run upfield in his sides first possession. Then, in his first start of the year, Josh Townsend would make quick work of the Wests defensive line as he plowed straight through multiple Lions on his way to the line.
Following a penalty kick from Cullin Cooper-Jones taking Queanbeyan to a 8-0 lead, Wests would nab the next try of the match in the 22nd minute after a quick ruck would let Josh Riley link to his 10 Declan Meredith who was able to throw a final pinpoint pass to Tomasi Bikaca for a try in the right corner. Converted by Meredith Queanbeyan would hold onto a narrow 8-7 lead.
To end the first half, Queanbeyan would make a dart upfield before fullback Nate Carrol was dragged down short. However the visitors wasted no time shifting the ball to their right winger Harrison Buckley who was able to go in for a try untouched while Wests were still attempting to get back on-side. Converted by Cooper-Jones, a relatively steady first half would result in Queanbeyan going into the break with a 15-7 lead.
The home-side would begin their comeback effort in the 48th minute however as next to cross the white stripe would be Timoci Naivaluwaqa after Meredith would put a grubber through the Whites defence allowing the winger to masterfully skate up the sideline before planting hit down in the left corner.
In the 55th minute however after absorbing plenty of pressure from Wests, Queanbeyan winger Jacob Church would become the hero as he stole a pass from the home side and managed to show his pace and go the length of the field for a try, maintaining his sides lead.
Not long after in the 61st minute, the Whites would capitalise on another mistake from the home side as a Wests pass went to ground allowing Davea Teoteo to pounce. The Queanbeyan hooker would then manage to race away securing a rare front rower runaway try.
In the 69th minute, Wests would finally swing momentum back in their favour at a crucial point. After heavy possession in Whites territory Nicholas Vili would decide to get through the hard yards himself, barreling through multiple Wests defenders but proving unstoppable and slamming down the ball.
Despite being down 27-17 with nine minutes remaining Wests were not deterred at all as a backline shift to Naivaluwaqa produced another five-pointer after the winger managed to swing the Gilbert back inside to a looming Otto Wrakonei for the try. Continuing to give the side a glimmer of hope, the effort would take the scoreboard to 22-27 in the visitors favour.
With just five minutes remaining and a home side with plenty of momentum, Queanbeyan would try to shut down a Wests comeback with a final try of their own. Capitalising off a scrum, the Whites would shift the ball out to the ever reliable Church who skated up the sideline but fell just short of the try-line. With a quick shit to Townsend the flanker would be dominant in a one-on-one tackle attempt and get his second try of the afternoon. Looking to put the match to bed, Cooper-Jones converted taking Queanbeyan's tally to 34 points.
With one minute left on the clock, Wests would get the ball to one of their main men Cullen Gray. Gray proved his worth immediately speeding through the Whites defence before breaking two tackles on his way to the line and scoring under the posts. Converted by Meredith, Wests were given a sniff of victory with time on the clock and a margin of just 5.
In the 83rd minute, Wests would complete their incredible comeback effort. Rushing out of the line Queanbeyan would put on a desperate defensive effort through a strong tackle non a Wests ball runner causing the ball to spill backwards. Immediately scooping up the ball was Jack Ketteringham who got the ball to Meredith which caused a shift to Wrakonei. Wrakonei was presented a 2-on-1 in his favour to win the match and decided to tuck the ball under and go himself which resulted in the try that would decide the match. With a conversion on the left side to win the match, Meredith would put aside his earlier woes off the boot and produce points when they mattered most giving Wests the 36-34 win.
Wests Lions 36 (Tries: Tomasi Bikaca, Timoci Naivaluwaqa, Otto Wrakonei 2, Cullen Gray, Nicholas Vili; Conversions: Meredith 3) def. Queanbeyan Whites 34 (Josh Townsend 2, Davea Teoteo, Jacob Church, Harry Buckley; Conversions: Cullin Cooper-Jones 3; Penalty Goals: Cullin Cooper-Jones)
