Wests have continued their undefeated start to the season after defeating the Gungahlin Eagles 29-26 in a thriller of a contest at Jamison Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Beginning as a seesawing affair the both sides would struggle for territory in the opening 10 minutes, until the home side in Wests managed to bunker down in Gungahlin's 22. After building plenty of pressure the Eagles defence finally cracked as Wests prop Feleti Kaihea barged through at close range for the opening try of the match. Converted by Declan Meredith, wests found a 7-0 lead very quickly in the match of the round.
Getting back into the grind for a further 17 minutes, it was then Gungahlin who managed to cross the line as number 7 Alex Smit managed to break through the Wests defence and stride out until he reached the in-goal. Missing the conversion, the home side still remained ahead 7-5 after the 27th minute.
Extending their narrow lead in the 35th minute Wests Ryan Kiely pounced on a short ball from fullback Declan Meredith to punch through Gungahlin's defence and sprinting another 10 metres to the try-line before making a grand dive for his five-pointer.
Continuing on their momentum from their last try-scoring effort Timoci Naivaluwaqa collected a soaring pass to the wing from his flyhalf Cullen Gray to score in the corner for a 22-7 lead in the 38th minute.
To open the second half, the Eagles would quickly attempt to chase down the scoreboard margin, as Brumby Lachlan Shaw made the most of a short ball close to the ruck before toppling over an attempted one-on-one defensive effort from Wests. Converted by Lachlan Day the scoreline was brought to 22-14 in favour of Wests with almost a full half to play.
Meredith would however show his attacking spark yet again in the 55th minute as the fullback sold a dummy pass to the Gungahlin defence which let him stroll through for a try off a Wests scrum feed.
Not deterred by Wests recent try however, Gungahlin would take full advantage of a quick throw in to catch Wests off guard and nab a try in the right corner through prop Tauati Chan Tung.
Going down with a bang, Gungahlin pinched one last try in the 80th minute of the match through Klayton Thorn passing off a brilliant ball to centre Clay Uyen allowing him to score under the sticks. Converted by Day the afternoons scores would conclude at 29-26 Wests way.
Wests Lions 29 (Tries: Feleti Kaihea, Ryan Kiely, Timoci Naivaluwaqa, Declan Meredith; Conversions: Declan Meredith 3; Penalty Goals: Declan Meredith) def. Gungahlin Eagles 26 (Tries: Alex Smit, Lachlan Shaw, Tauati Chan Tung, Clay Uyen; Conversions: Lachlan Day 3)
