The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies Super Rugby U16s and U19s sides have both had a victorious outing this afternoon, both nabbing strong victories over the Melbourne Rebels at La Trobe University in Victoria. The U19s side would lock in a 59-15 thumping while the U16s also put on a show with an entertaining 36-17 match.
The Brumbies U16s side would get the day off to a positive start with a strong 36-17 win over their Rebels counterparts for their first victory of the season.
Getting on the board first through ACT's number 10 Callum Spooner early in the match, the Brumbies would then go on to find another two five-pointers through their captain BJ Pumpa soon after.
Looking in control of the fixture despite the Rebels nabbing back points of their own, the second half would show another nicely worked try from the Brumbies through winger ‘Uhila Tai. With plenty of space to work with after a strong carry from Tomas Jensen, flyhalf Spooner would sum up the opportunity beautifully with a cut-out pass to his right winger.
After a strong battle for territory, Xander Stoddart would break the stalemate as a counterattack from the Brumbies in the 62nd minute would conclude with the number 23 racing up the sideline before wrapping around to plant the ball under the posts for the finial score of the match.
Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies 36 (Tries: Callum Spooner, BJ Pumpa 2, 'Uhila Tai, Xander Stoddart; Conversions: Aidan Wunsch, Tomas Jensen 2, James Martens) def. Melbourne Rebels 17 (Tries: Lewis Brinkworth, Ratu Ifereimi Tuibua, Dharczy Vaiimene; Conversions: Samson Tuaine)
The Brumbies would fire from the get-go in their matchup against the Rebels, as a quick fire try to open the match from captain Malarkey Enasio would inspire the side to an eventual 52-15 win.
Brute forcing his way to the line, Enasio would complete a strong effort from his team on the right side of the field for the opening five points. Soon after, in the 15th minute Sam McLachlan would find himself in open space where he would convert the opportunity into points, darting past the Rebels last line of defence to score under the posts and convert his own try.
In the 26th minute however, the Rebels would cross for their first points through Journey Wana capitalising on a mountain of possession from the home side taking the score to 12-7 after a successful conversion from Jackson Jury.
In the 33rd minute, following a Brumbies lineout and a strong carry upfield from fullback Patrick Broe, the visiting side would shift the ball to the left of the posts finding workhorse Jono Ryan with plenty of space to himself, securing their third try. Converted by McLachlan the Brumbies would continue to nudge ahead of the home side.
To end the first half, the Rebels would take a penalty shot at goal through Jury taking the score to 17-10 at the break.
Early in the second half the Brumbies would score two quick-fire tries with slick ball-playing from McLachlan and Beau Morrison respectively. The first effort would see Bailey Bouquiaux score under the posts after an inside pass from his number 10. Upon receiving the ball once again, Brumbies number eight Morrison would waste no time in his search for another try, sending halfback Wally Wentzel in for a try with a lovely pass from the midfield the Brumbies would extend their lead to 33-10.
In the 49th minute, Enasio would bag his second try with a show of brute force, shrugging off three defenders for an easy try to the left of the uprights.
Despite a Rebels intercept try adding to their total, in the 65th minute Bouquiaux would grab his second try after taking the ball shoreside and successfully taking on multiple Melbourne defenders following a close range scrum.
Putting an exclamation mark on the performance was Hamish MacDonald as he would find yet another five-pointer, helping his side to reach the half century milestone on the scoreboard. The final try of the match however would fall the way of Lachlan Smith after the visitors would go from long range shifting the ball through multiple sets of hands for a flashy team try, resulting in a final score of 59-15 to the Brumbies.
Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies 59 (Tries: Malakye Enasio 2, Sam McLachlan, Jono Ryan, Wally Wentzel, Bailey Bouquiaux 2, Hamish MacDonald, Lachlan Smith; Conversions: Sam McLachlan 4, Joe Dillon 3) def. Melbourne Rebels 15 (Journey Wana, Xander Iosefo; Conversions: Jackson Jury; Penalty Goals: Jackson Jury)
