Roma push unbeaten Rangers to limit in rugby thriller

RUGBY: Rangers and Roma produced a game of the season contender at the weekend.

Despite easily defeating the Echidnas 40-0 earlier in the season, Rangers were right to be wary when they travelled west for the showdown.

In the end it was the boot of

Malachy Grealy that proved to be the difference in Rangers’ 34-33 victory.

“We knew they’d be a very different team to the one we faced earlier in the season,” Rangers captain Tom Vinson said.

“We didn’t do it the easy way, but I think that makes coming away with a win that little bit more satisfying.

“It was a really back and forward game.

“We went ahead through a few penalties early and they came back at us with a try.

“And that’s pretty much how the whole game went.

“They played some really good rugby and put us under a lot of pressure.”

Vinson believes his side has steadily improved their mental game this season after battling their way to a 22-22 draw with Bears in round three.

“I think we held our nerve really well,” he said.

“We did make a few mistakes here and there but overall we held it together.

“It (staying calm) is something we’ve been focusing on a lot as the season progresses.

“When you look at that

Bears game compared to now, we’ve improved a lot.”

Rangers 34 (Tries: Tom Vinson, Robert Taylor, Adam Berthelsen, Ben Tuesley. Conversions: Malachy Grealy 3, Brandon Murray. Penalties: Malachy Grealy) df Roma 33

(Tries: Nick Loughnan 2, Joey Packer, Peter Body, Alexander Riley. Conversions: Mack Mason 4.)