Match Report: Owls 1st Grade Men’s Outlast Royals in Pasifika Day Classic at North Oval
The Uni-Norths Owls made it back-to-back home wins in Round 11 of the John I Dent Cup, edging out a fast-finishing Royals side 36–31 in a thrilling Pasifika Day showdown at ANU North Oval.
A colourful crowd packed the balcony and surrounds, celebrating the club’s Pasifika heritage with a day full of pride, connection and community. The First Grade men didn’t disappoint, delivering an inspired performance in the special Pasifika jersey to cap off the festivities.
The Owls stormed out of the gates with early tries through the backs and built momentum through the middle stages of the match. Charlie Crozier, Rhys Van Nek, and Christopher Mickelson crossed in the opening half, with Samuel Toa converting two of the three and adding a try of his own not long after the break.
Jack Debreczeni and Mickelson added further five-pointers in the second half to give the Owls a healthy advantage. Tactical substitutions followed, with Vaotangi Mafi, Miller Tauiliili-Pelesasa, Siave Seti, and Stirling Doyle injected late to help close out the match.
Royals clawed their way back into the contest with a flurry of points and mounted serious pressure in the final minutes, but the Owls held firm in front of their vocal home crowd to secure their fourth win of the season.
Pasifika Day ended in fitting fashion — with a win, a song, and a show of pride from the players and families who continue to shape the Owls’ legacy across generations.
Final score: Uni-Norths Owls 36 def. Canberra Royals 31
Point Summary
Owls Tries: Crozier, Van Nek, C. Mickelson (2), Toa, Debreczeni
Owls Conversions: Toa (3)
Royals Tries: Oates (2), Piper, Smith
Royals Conversions: Oates (4)
Royals Penalty Goals: Oates (1)
Team Lists
Uni-Norths Owls 1st Grade
- Zeb Maddinson
- Christopher Mickelson
- Rhys Van Nek
- Cadeyrn Neville
- Samuel Mickelson (C)
- Tobias Macpherson
- Dylan Challita
- Jimmy Plowman
- Ben Roberton
- Samuel Toa
- Charlie Crozier
- Patrick Callaughan
- Liae Tuilagi
- Issy Vaili
- Jordan Thompson
Reserves: - Boston Morete
- Vaotangi Mafi
- Siave Seti
- Miller Tauiliili-Pelesasa
- Polynesia Crichton
- Jack Debreczeni
- Jasper Simmons
- Stirling Doyle
Canberra Royals 1st Grade
- James Bundy
- Liam Bowron
- Samuel Heffernan
- Brendan Le Galludec
- Tom Iles
- Spencer Scott
- Tom Barrett
- Darcy Fogarty
- Daniel Nelson
- Chace Oates
- Paddy Mcinally
- Jarrah McLeod
- Lincoln Smith
- Caleb Piper
- Samuel Myburgh
Reserves: - Cooper Eagle
- Ata Misi
- Sione Mau
- Ben Johnston
- Pedro Rolando
- Joshua Myburgh
