Rams butt Navy Canberra VIkings

Jone Tawake (SMP Images)

The Western Sydney Rams have maintained top spot on the Mazda ARC ladder with a scintillating 51-17 victory over the second-place Navy Canberra Vikings at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday night.

Western Sydney produced a near faultless attacking display, piling on seven tries - four in the first half - to delight the home crowd and secure a semi-finals berth.

Man-of-match Ben Alexander led the charge up-front, scoring two tries and laying the platform for the Ram's brilliant backline, which threatened to score with every touch.

The visitors were gallant in defeat managing three first-half tries, but now face the prospect of a must-win showdown with the Melbourne Rebels at Olympic Park in round-eight to secure a spot in the semi-finals.

Both teams showcased their attacking flair in a thrilling first half that produced seven tries in total.

The Rams had the best of the opening exchanges to lead 8-0 after 10 minutes when Centre Rory Sidey crossed in the corner on the back of some enterprising play.

To make matters worse for the visitors, flanker Julian Salvi was shown a yellow card for a professional foul in the 13th minute - Ben Martin kicked the penalty goal to extend to 11-3.

Canberra opened its account soon after when flyhalf Christian Lealiifano sliced through to put Anthony Faingaa in under the posts.  Faingaa added the extras to make it 11-7.

The Rams hit back minutes later with a brilliant long range effort which saw electrifying winger Lachie Turner put Sidey into open space for his second try right on 20 minutes to lead 18-7.

The back and forth action continued with Navy Canberra Vikings flyer Eddie McLaughlin crossing in the 23rd minute to make it 18-12.

Canberra gained a further boost when Rams centre Luke Johnson was yellow carded a minute later for a professional foul. The Vikings capitalised on the extra man in the 25th minute when Jone Tawake crashed over in the corner to draw within a point 18-17.

But two-tries in five-minutes to Alexander in saw the Rams pull away to lead 30-17 at the break.

Two tries in as many minutes to Lachie Turner and Hugh Perrett put the result beyond doubt ten minutes into the second half.

MAZDA AUSTRALIAN RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND SEVEN

WESTERN SYDNEY RAMS 51

Tries: Rory Sidey 2, Ben Alexander 2, Lachlan Turner, Hugh Perrett, Luke Johnson

Conversions: Ben Martin 5/7

Penalty Goals: Ben Martin 2/2

defeated

NAVY CANBERRA VIKINGS 17

Tries: Anthony Faingaa, Eddie McLaughlin, Jone Tawake
                            
Conversions: Anthony Faingaa 1/3

At Parramatta Stadium, Sydney

Half Time: Western Sydney Rams 30-17

Crowd: 2,139

Referee: James Leckie