Exclusive: Uni-Norths defeat Eagles handily to secure a spot in the Premier 15s Grand Final.
With a resounding 55-12 victory over the Gungahlin Eagles on Saturday afternoon, the Uni-Norths Owls have guaranteed their spot in the big dance with the Tuggeranong Vikings on Saturday.
Threatening the Eagles line, the Owls dominated a large portion of the opening stanza. Fly-half Faitala Moleka scored the first goal for her outside backs with a deft cross-field kick. With Amelia Quinn completing the play, the score was 5-0. After making their way up field, Gungahlin answered. Before Evelyn Horomia pushed her way through for a 7–5 lead, Loretta Mailangi came very near.
But following an aggressive line out, Uni-Norths sent the ball wide, cutting into the lead. Charlie Brigstocke, the fullback, scored behind the posts by grabbing a pass that looped. Owls win 12–7. Brigstocke’s second goal gave the Owls further momentum, and Owls and Brumbies backrower Siokapesi Palu found herself in space to seal a dominating 26-7 lead. The Gungahlin Center With a barnstorming sprint to the line, Martha Fua snatched one back for her team. Into the major break, Uni-Norths led 26–12.
After squabbling for possession for the first few minutes of the second half, the Owls found themselves a few meters from the rival try line. Molly White scored her first goal of the afternoon after Moleka saw an overlap out on the left edge. Brigstocke would seal herself a hat trick before White picked up her double in a similar method. Following yellow cards for high tackles, the Owls persisted in punishing the Eagles.
Iris Verebalavu, a Fijiana international, kept up the pressure with a try near the line to help her team defeat the Gungahlin Eagles 55–12. The Tuggeranong Vikings and Uni-Norths Owls will play in the 2024 Premier 15s Grand Final next week.
Gungahlin Eagles 12 (Tries: Evelyn Horomia, Martha Fua; Conversions: Alex McKeough) Uni-Norths Owls 55 (Tries: Charlie Brigstocke 3, Molly White 2, Amelia Quinn, Siokapesi Palu, Iris Verebalavu, Faitala Moleka; Conversions: Faitala Moleka 4)