The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies have retained the Dan Vickerman trophy once again after cementing a strong 40-16 win over the NSW Waratahs on Saturday night.
Conceding a penalty early in their own half the Brumbies were forced to face a 3-nil deficit in the 2nd minute as Tane Edmed split the posts down the middle from 37metres out.
Following a bomb put up from Tom Wright, the Brumbies were able to swing momentum their way in the 7th minute after winger Ollie Sapsford crunched a helpless Edmed over the sideline after taking the high ball.
As the pressure built for the Waratahs in their territory, the Brumbies were eventually awarded a penalty which was converted into points by flyhalf Noah Lolesio taking the opportunity for a penalty goal, evening the scores to 3 all after 8 minutes.
A battle for territory then ensued that would last until the 32nd minute when Lolesio was presented another golden opportunity for a penalty goal which he iced bringing the Brumbies to a 6-3 lead.
Proving too much to handle in the opening half, Lolesio's boot found another three-pointer in the 35th minute as the young half easily cleared the crossbar from over 40 metres away, making the score 9-3.
The shootout would continue just before halftime, as Edmed would take his chances with a penalty goal just shy of the 22, with a successful effort the score would come to 9-6 to the Brumbies.
On the brink of halftime the Brumbies efforts would pay off as Harrison Goddard became the first player to cross the line, barging through the visitors goal-line defence to the left of the sticks, making an easy conversion for Lolesio who cemented a 16-6 lead at the break.
To open the points in the second half Rob Valentini was found in some broken play close to the visitors line and managed to cross for a try in the 48th minute after running straight over the top of an attempted one-on-one tackle from the Waratahs. Converted by Lolesio, the Brumbies led 23-9 as play continued in the second half.
Lolesio would continue his brilliance off the boot in the 57th minute as the halfback would once again make the most of mounting pressure from the Brumbies causing another chance for a penalty goal.
Refusing to let all the points fall the way of the Brumbies, the NSW side crossed for their first try in the 64th minute through a determined effort with Charlie Gamble forcing his was over to keep a potential comeback in sight for the visitors after converting through Will Harrison.
As quickly as hope returned to the visitors, it was snuffed out by Corey Toole breaking through the Waratahs defence untouched and nabbing a five-pointer after a slick backline play off a scrum. Toole's effort was capitalised on by Lolesio bringing the score to 33-16 in favour of the Brumbies with 12 minutes remaining.
Charlie Cale then decided he wanted to finish the match on his terms, sealing the victory with his own five-pointer in the 78th minute which was then converted by the ever reliable Lolesio to finish the match with a 40-16 win to the Brumbies.
Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies 40 (Tries: Harrison Goddard, Rob Valentini, Corey Toole, Charlie Cale; Goals: Noah Lolesio 4; Penalties: Noah Lolesio 4) def. NSW Waratahs 16 (Tries: Charlie Gamble;Goals: Will Harrson;Penalties: Tane Edmed 3)
