Beale guides Rams to victory

An eye-catching performance from Kurtley Beale has guided the Western Sydney Rams to a 39-30 win over the Central Coast Rays in a cracking Mazda ARC match at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium.

Beale scored two tries and had a hand in another two as the Rams notched up their first win of the tournament in a scintillating match the saw the lead change hands a number of times.

The Rays opened the scoring in the fifth minute when fullback Peter Hewat slotted a penalty from 30 metres out directly in front but the visitors were in front just two minutes later.

Rams centre Chris Siale, who looked dangerous with his first few touches of the ball, danced through the smallest of gaps to take play inside the 22. From the ensuing rucks, Beale chipped into the in-goal and got a fortuitous bounce to claim the opening try. Winger Ben Martin added the extras to put the Rams in front 7-3.

The Rams were in again just a few minutes later when a deft pass from Beale put Martin into a gap just 15 out from the Rays line. He looked to have taken the wrong option by stepping back inside but a poor attempt at tackle by Hewat allowed Martin a saloon passage to the line. Martin swung his conversion attempt wide to leave the score at 12-3.

The Rays hit back in the 18th minute after they were gifted an attacking lineout inside the 22 from an infringement in the ruck from the Rams. Lanky lock Chris Thompson pulled down the throw-in and drove play to the line to draw in the Rams defence before the Rays sent the ball wide for winger Andrew Smith to crash over.

Hewat slotted the conversion to make it 12-10 to the Rams.

The Rays regained the lead in the 26th minute when Martin was pinged for accidentally offside in his own 22. Hewat made no mistake with his kick to make it 13-12 to the home side.

Martin put the Rams back in front with a penalty from 25m out before centre Lachlan Mitchell scored a five-pointer just three minutes before the half-time break. Winger Fa'atonu Fili, who looked threatening with some chip and chases on the wing, put a deep kick into the opposition territory.

Rays centre Sam Harris coughed up the ball in the tackle and Mitchell showed good toe to race 30 metres for the try. Martin added the extras to give the Rams a 22-13 lead at half-time.

The Rams made the perfect start to the second half when Beale cut through out wide to take play inside the 22 before dishing off to Siale, who side-stepped through the cover defence to score in the corner. Martin threaded his conversion from the sideline to extend the lead to 29-13.

The Rays needed to score next and did so through flanker Beau Robinson in the 48th minute after some sustained attacked inside the Rams 22. A determined run from Rays big No.8 drew three defenders and he was able to offload to an unmarked Robinson to cross over out wide. Hewat pushed his conversion attempt wide to leave the score 29-18 to the Rams.

The Rays cut the deficit to four points after a speedy backline play saw Smith cross for his second try of the afternoon. Hewat slotted his conversion from out wide to make it 29-25.

Brett Sheehan had the Gosford crowd of 3201 cheering when he caught the Rams napping after taking a quick tap-penalty from five metres out and diving over for a soft try. Hewat's conversion hit the left upright and away to leave the Rays holding a one-point lead 30-29 with 20 minutes to play.

But Beale capitalised on another incisive run from Siale to score the match winner. Siale was pulled down 10 from the line but Beale showed great vision and pace to dive over in the corner. Martin was again on target from the sideline to make 36-30 to the Rams.

Martin sealed the game with a penalty with three minutes on the clock.

Australian Rugby Championship - Round Two:

WESTERN SYDNEY RAMS - 39

Tries: Beale 2, Martin, Mitchell, Siale
Conversions: Martin 4
Penalties: Martin 2

CENTRAL COAST RAYS - 30

Tries: Smith 2, Robinson, Sheehan
Conversions: Hewat 2
Penalties: Hewat 2.

@ Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium, Gosford.

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