Rams take home Brad Hardy Cup
The Woden Valley Rams secured a dominant 32-6 victory against West Belconnen Warriors to take home the Brad Hardy Cup.
Ben Flood of the West Belconnen Warriors was awarded players player from his side, while milestone man Sean Maloney who ran out for his 100th first grade game for Woden this afternoon, received the second players player award.
It was a back and forth contest in the opening 10 minutes, as both sides traded sets and showcased strong goal line defense.
Rams five eighth Brendan Jimenez took matters into his own hands from close range, beating multiple defenders to open up the scoring.
In the following 15 minutes, Woden dominated the field position battle, providing themselves multiple scoring opportunities but were unable to extend their lead.
The Warriors started to get a roll on in attack and had their first genuine chance at attacking the line but Woden's defense continued to hold up.
With the game in the grind, Woden chanced their arm by putting a big bomb up which winger Koko Salim chased down and regathered to score in the corner and extend their lead to 10-nil.
After finding themselves trailing by two tries, a sin bin to Warriors winger Kane Rushton didn't help the chances.
With Rams in attack following the sin bin, halfback Jesse Eljuga kicked across field as Salim flew to catch and successfully plant the ball over the line to secure his double.
The halftime siren sounded and the Rams went into the sheds with a healthy 14-0 lead.
It was a nightmare start to the second half for the Warriors as a knock on off the kick off gifted Woden an opportunity, in which they capitalised on through Siamanu Leuluai scoring in the corner.
Shortly after, Jimenez scored his second try of the afternoon from long range, blowing out Woden's lead to 24-nil.
The Warriors started to win back momentum which led to their first points of the match, with Kane Rushton barging over close to the line.
Woden put the nail in the coffin in the dying minutes as centre Gideon Afemui dove over from close range.
A successful penalty kick from the Rams on the stroke of full time saw the final scores read 32-6 for Woden to be presented the Brad Hardy Cup.
