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Match report: Perth Spirit v Greater Sydney Rams

Last year's NRC had plenty of attacking rugby. This season should be even better. (J.B-Photography)
Roar Guru
6th September, 2014
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The Greater Sydney Rams have recorded their first win of the National Rugby Championship with a 44-34 win over the Perth Spirit in Adelaide.

Playing in the City of the Churches for the first time in a national competition, the Rams dominated the second half of the contest to run out winners for the first time in the new competition.

A hat-trick to winger Taqele Naiyaravoro proved to be the difference as the NSW Waratah created nightmares for the Spirit defence throughout the match.

In an open game between the two teams, the points flowed, as the NRC teams treated the healthy crowd to an attacking game of rugby union.

The crowd, which was officially 1500, showed that South Australia has rugby union potential.

At the NRC level they could certainly field a team and utilise the 12 clubs in the state competition.

It is certainly food for thought for the NRC and the Australian Rugby Union board.

The early proceedings were dominated by missed opportunities for both teams.

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The Spirit couldn’t capitalise on their early territorial dominance while the Rams knocked the ball on as they were about to score after 15 minutes of play.

The Rams would make up for the error though, two minutes later, as they scored the first points of the game.

They received a penalty 30 metres out, and kicked the goal for the initial lead.

A few minutes later, the Rams scored the first try, as they started to control the match. After getting a line-out five metres out from the line, the Rams formed a maul as they tried to push their way towards the line.

The maul didn’t work, and the Rams spread the ball from left to right, as they tried to create space.

The space was created and Taqele Naiyaravoro used the gap to score and give the Rams a 10-0 lead.

The Spirit immediately hit back and dominated proceedings until half time.

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A line-out created the first try for the Spirit not long after the Rams scored themselves.

The line break moved the ball towards the try line before prop, Alec Hepburn, forced his way over the line for his first try of the competition.

The Spirit then added another try through Zack Holmes before another try at half time gave them a run of 21 straight points and a handy half time lead.

Dillyn Leyds continued his form in the NRC season to score his fourth try of the season.

After half time, and a delayed re-entrance by the Rams, they started the second half in much better form.

Whatever was said by the coach at half time worked a treat as they created more run through the wingers in the final 40 minutes.

Naiyaravoro started the proceedings with a barnstorming run past a few of the Spirit defenders.

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He got the ball after the scrum near the middle of the field, and the Fijian winger did the rest, as he received the ball from his Ramsteammates.

The Spirit immediately responded with a try to Harry Scoble before the Rams showed scoring form that has been missing this season. Jed Holloway, with a great run, scored first for the Rams to reduce the margin to three points with the conversion.

Naiyaravoro then completed his hat-trick to give the Rams the lead for the second time.

Despite a late try to the Spirit, which reduced the margin to 10 points, the Rams held on and won for the first time this year.

The win moves the Rams to sixth, with the Spirit staying in fifth despite the loss.

Both teams will now have a short break before the Spirit plays on Thursday night against the Melbourne Rising and the Rams play on Saturday against the Sydney Stars.

Greater Sydney Rams 44 – Naiyaravoro 3, Holloway, McKenzie, Chisholm – Volavola (1/1 pen, 4/6 con), Perth Spirit 34 – Hepburn, Holmes, Leyds, Scoble, Mailei – Prior (3/5 con)

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