West Belconnen secure grand final spot with dominant win over Woden

The West Belconnen Warriors have cemented their place in the 2022 Blumers Lawyers Canberra Raiders Cup grand final, defeating the Woden Valley Rams 46-10 at Raiders Belconnen.

It was a dominant performance by the Warriors in the major semi-final, proving why they finished the season as minor-premiers.

It was an all-around phenomenal performance as they went into halftime with a 40-0 lead and never looked back.

The Rams will now take on the Queanbeyan Blues for the remaining spot in the grand final after the Blues defeated the Bushrangers yesterday.

Despite the end scoreline, both sides started fast with some bruising defence in the opening exchanges.

It would take until the sixth minute for the Warriors to create a chance after some beautiful ball playing between the forwards put Brown through a hole. 

The Rams fullback Scrivener made an incredible one-on-one tackle ten metres out from the Rams goal line but with some assistance from his teammate Posantzis, the referee blew a penalty for holding the Warriors player down.

This was deemed a professional foul by the referee and Posantzis was sent to the sin bin.

It wouldn't take the Warriors long to take advantage of playing against 12 men, as Peace was able to set up a try for Withers in the left corner.

The conversion attempt from Roberts was unsuccessful for the Warriors, limiting their early lead to four points.

Momentum was clearly with the Warriors and it wouldn't take them long to find the try line for a second time.

After a great kick return from Edwards put the Warriors deep into Rams territory, it was a simple dummy half scoot from Bethke which saw him power over in the 13th minute.

Roberts nailed his first conversion of the finals series from the left side of the post, to give the Warriors a 10-0 lead after 15 minutes.

The Warriors assault continued as Peace created space for Withers once again who ran down the left sideline to put the West Belconnen in more great attacking field position.

Luck would turn for the Rams after the home side gave away an obstruction penalty while attacking their line.

Posantzis would return to the field just moments after with the Rams looking to create their first attacking chance of the match.

Unfortunately, the Rams would turn the ball over early in the tackle count with Withers jumping on the loose ball to make another great run.

Roberts would immediately take advantage of an unorganised Rams defensive line and chip the ball for McQueen to score in the 18th minute.

Roberts would convert his second try of the match and extend the home side's lead to 16 points.

Unfortunately, things only got worse for the Rams as Scrivener had to leave the field with an injury in the 19th minute.

The Warriors attacking assault continued as Peace continued to cause havoc to the Rams right edge defence.

It was just moments later when the Warriors would cross over for their fourth try of the match, this time it was Shaw who took on the line and scored right under the posts in the 20th minute.

Roberts third conversion of the match would see the home side extend their lead to 22 points.

The home side's attack was on a different level to the Rams defence, and the Warriors would score their fifth try after a great individual play from Graham saw him score in the 30th minute.

Another successful conversion from Roberts extended the West Belconnens lead to 28 points with eight minutes remaining in the first half.

The Rams would force an error from the following kick-off to try to give them their best-attacking position of the match, but the Warriors defence forced another error.

After another penalty put them deep into Rams territory once again, Shaw would cross over for his second try of the match once again under the post.

Roberts nailed the conversion from right in front as the Warriors extend their lead to 34 points.

The Warriors would score the final try of the first half on the last play as Peace once again found Withers in the left corner for his second try.

Roberts would convert from the left sideline where he missed his first conversion as the home side went into halftime with an extraordinary 40-0 lead.

The second half started horribly for the Rams after letting the kick-off run dead on the bounce, gifting the Warriors another attacking set.

After surviving an early onslaught the Rams would continue to put pressure on the home side's try line.

The Rams would be the first team to score points in the second half and they're first for the match through Cannon.

McDonald converted from in front to limit the Warriors deficit to 34 points.

The Rams were eager to continue their momentum but they would immediately turn the ball over in the set following their first points.

The second half was similar to the opening minutes of the first as the Rams defence had vastly improved.

After both sides continued to turn the opposition's attack away, the Rams would score their second try in the 66th minute.

After some great ball movement to the left, Ellis found himself one on one against McQueen and was able to finish the try in the left corner.

Mcdonald's conversion attempt from the sideline was unsuccessful, with the Warriors still leading 40-10.

The Rams came close to scoring a third try just moments after but Thomas came up with a sensational try-saving tackle.

It would take until the 71st minute for the Warriors to score their first try of the second half after Vanisi found Withers a beautiful offload, which allowed Withers to secure a hat trick.

Roberts converted his seventh try of the match to extend their lead back to 36 points.

The Warriors came close to scoring a ninth try which would bring up 50 points for the home side, but they failed to break a Rams defence that improved considerably in the second half. 

However, it was still a dominant 46-10 win by the West Belconnen Warriors over the Rams who will take on the Queanbeyan Blues next week.