In a high-scoring and bruising encounter at ANU North Oval, Uni-Norths Owls and Tuggeranong Vikings put on an attacking spectacle, combining for 16 tries in a 102-point thriller. Despite a late surge from the Owls, it was Vikings who claimed a 60–42 victory, underlining their clinical finishing and physical edge in key moments.

The visitors struck first just four minutes in through flanker Eli Langi, with Louis Bartley-Saena adding the extras to give Vikings an early 7–0 lead. The Owls hit back almost immediately—tighthead prop Vaotangi Mafi bulldozing over in the sixth minute, and Samuel Toa slotting the conversion to level things at 7–7.

From there, Vikings went on a tear. Jonathan Ryan (15’), Atora Hondo (35’), and hooker Samuel Thomas (40’) all crossed, capitalising on sustained pressure and Owls’ defensive lapses. Bartley-Saena was deadly from the tee, converting each of the first four tries. A yellow card to Owls centre Ignacio Bonsembiante for repeated infringements in the 37th minute didn’t help the home side’s cause. The Vikings entered the sheds up 33–14.

But the Owls refused to roll over. After the break, Joshua Reis dotted down in the 53rd minute after a strong phase build-up, cutting the margin. Hooker Christopher Mickelson then sparked a mini-revival with a double in the 58th and 60th minutes—both converted by Toa—as the Owls clawed back momentum and narrowed the deficit to 45–35.

However, every Owls punch was met with a counterpunch from the Vikings. Winger Shane Wilcox crossed twice in the second half (45’, 57’), while second-rower Amaani Vercoe-Aoina crashed over in the 61st. Jacob Church added his name to the scoresheet in the 67th minute, before replacement Yoshiaki Taniguchi iced the result with a 79th-minute try.

To their credit, the Owls kept fighting. Christopher Mickelson was immense up front, and the side found one last highlight in the 80th minute, as substitute Molia Feleleai powered over the line. Toa’s sixth conversion gave him a perfect record from the tee, and the Owls their final tally of 42 points.

Despite the scoreboard, the Owls showed resilience and attacking intent, particularly in the second half. Their set piece held well, and they’ll take heart from a strong final quarter heading into next week’s clash.

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Points Summary
Tries – Owls: Mafi (6′), Mickelson (30′, 58′, 60′), Reis (53′), Feleleai (80′)
Conversions – Owls: Toa (6′, 30′, 53′, 58′, 60′, 80′)
Tries – Vikings: Langi (4′), Ryan (15′), Hondo (35′, 42′), Thomas (40′), Wilcox (45′, 57′), Vercoe-Aoina (61′), Church (67′), Taniguchi (79′)
Conversions – Vikings: Bartley-Saena (4′, 15′, 35′, 42′, 57′)

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Uni-Norths Owls 1st Grade

1. Zeb Maddinson
2. Christopher Mickelson
3. Vaotangi Mafi
4. Billy Hansen
5. Samuel Mickelson (C)
6. Tobias Macpherson
7. Joshua Reis
8. Miller Tauiliili-Pelesasa
9. Ben Roberton
10. Samuel Toa
11. Kealii Leuluai
12. Liae Tuilagi
13. Ignacio Bonsembiante
14. Issy Vaili
15. Charlie Crozier
    Substitutes:
16. Ethan O’Keeffe
17. Reilly Pickering
18. Ben Martens
19. Molia Feleleai
20. Polynesia Crichton
21. Uli Latukefu
22. Harvey Mclean

Tuggeranong Vikings 1st Grade

1. Joseph Leuii
2. Samuel Thomas
3. Silafono Titiuti
4. Amaani Vercoe-Aoina
5. Rhys Griffiths
6. Eli Langi
7. Jonathan Ryan
8. Nathan Beil (C)
9. Atora Hondo
10. Oscar Shaw
11. Jacob Church
12. Keresoma Tuilagi
13. Andrew Robinson
14. Shane Wilcox
15. Louis Bartley-Saena (C)
    Substitutes:
16. Mason Henderson
17. Wheru Logan Pou
18. Liuaki ae Lotu Percival
19. Alexander Kerr
20. Fletcher Rose
21. Marley Ngatai
22. Pelasio Samuelu Niuula
23. Yoshiaki Taniguchi