The Tuggeranong Vikings have booked their place in the 2026 Bentspoke John I Dent Cup Final in a gutsy 37-28 victory over Queanbeyan. A try-scoring double to scrum-half Moses Sorovi ultimately proved the difference in a tight contest at Viking Park.
The Vikings – fresh off a 72-31 thrashing of Uni-Norths – picked up where they left off in attack. A typically slick backline move sent winger Keresoma Tuilagi over in the corner in just the third minute of the contest.
As they have all season, Queanbeyan produced an immediate response. A string of powerful carries culminated in a pick-and-drive try to number eight Alatini Vaihu, whilst Nate Carroll's conversion saw the Whites take a slender lead six minutes into the match.
As the team lists would suggest, however, there is never a dull moment when these sides meet. Vikings skipper Oscar Shaw continued his blistering form, combining power and footwork to recapture the lead only minutes later.
Fifteen minutes then passed with no points – a rarity in the John I Dent Cup this season – before the Vikings found joy through a familiar avenue. In-form winger Pelasio Saamuela Niuula found space down the edge to launch a long-range attack, finding support on the inside in the form of scrum-half Moses Sorovi. The Fijian international won the footrace to the line, with Tane Edmed's conversion bringing the score to 19-7.
The back-and-forth nature of the contest continued as Wallaby lock Nick Frost crashed over in the 32nd minute, before Nate Carroll's boot reduced the margin to five at 19-14.
The flashpoint of the first half arrived late, as the New South Welshmen were reduced to 14 when back-rower Judah Saumaisue saw yellow for a bruising late hit on Brumbies teammate Tane Edmed.
There would be no change to the scoreline heading into the break, with Tuggeranong unable to capitalise on their numerical advantage.
The first points of the second half came in the form of a Vikings penalty, with Tane Edmed slotting the three points to extend the lead beyond a converted try at 22-14.
For every punch the home side threw, the Whites would throw one of their own. Saumaisue – a handful of minutes after he had returned from his yellow card – crashed over to make it a one-point game with half an hour left on the clock.
The Vikings, opting for a more patient approach, once more took the points on offer as another penalty conversion by Edmed took the scoreline to 25-21 in the 53rd minute. Neither side was willing to take a backwards step, as evidenced by Joshua Townsend's try in the 56th minute. The crowd favourite emerged victorious from a throng of red and white shirts, delivering Queanbeyan just their second lead for the match at 28-25.
The seesaw nature of this affair continued as Moses Sorovi once again found himself ideally placed to support a Vikings line break. Substitute Junior Time Taotua shook off multiple defenders before finding his scrum-half, whose try in the 63rd minute ensured Tuggeranong would head into the final 15 minutes in front.
With just eight minutes left on the clock, the Vikings received a penalty and once more opted for a shot at goal. Edmed, who had endured a mixed day off the tee, pulled the attempt narrowly to the left of the posts, setting up a grandstand finish.
Tuggeranong had a chance to seal the match during a sustained attack within Queanbeyan's 22, yet the Whites' defence stood up to the challenge, forcing an error and keeping their hopes of progressing to the Grand Final alive.
They weren't to be denied, however, as Jacob Church found himself on the end of an attacking shift to the left. The winger's try would prove to be the final score of the game as the Vikings progressed to their fourth consecutive Grand Final.
Their opponent will not be determined until next week, with plenty of rugby to be played before then.
Queanbeyan will be back at Viking Park next Saturday, where they will meet the winner of tomorrow's Elimination Final between the Gungahlin Eagles and Canberra Royals.
