The Uni-Norths Owls were pipped in a hard-fought battle against Tuggeranong Vikings on Saturday afternoon, going down 32–26 at Viking Park in Round 16 of the John I Dent Cup.

It was an electric start from the home side, with halfback Atora Hondo darting over in just the 2nd minute to give Vikings the early lead. Louis Bartley-Saena added the extras, and things quickly worsened for the Owls.

In the 12th minute, prop Lington Leli crashed over to extend the margin, with Bartley-Saena again converting to make it 14–0. The Owls, however, answered back quickly with Samuel Toa slicing through the line in the 17th minute and converting his own try to narrow the gap to 14–7.

Midway through the first half, the contest flared up. Vikings centre, Andrew Robinson, was sent to the bin in the 21st minute for foul play, giving Owls a numerical advantage. Yet the hosts remained composed, and on the stroke of the 33rd minute, Shane Wilcox crossed to reassert control. Bartley-Saena made no mistake with the conversion: 21–7.

As the half drew to a close, the Owls hit back. Zeb Maddinson barged over in the 40th minute, though the conversion was missed, sending the sides into the break at 21–12.

The second half began in dramatic fashion, with Jacob Church crossing in the 43rd minute for the Vikings’ fourth try but it was Bartley-Saena’s yellow card in the 48th minute for repeated infringements that sparked a revival for the Owls.

Just before that, the hosts had suffered a blow, losing captain Nathan Beil to injury. Joel Leiper came on in his place, and the reshuffle gave the Owls the edge.

A Bartley-Saena penalty goal in the 55th minute pushed the Vikings lead out further, but the Owls kept coming. Lock Harvey Cordukes bulldozed over in the 58th minute, and Toa’s conversion brought it back to a close game.

Momentum began to tilt. With Miller Tauiliili-Pelesasa forced off injured in the 77th minute, it looked like the Owls might run out of steam, but not before one final surge.

In the 72nd minute, hooker Christopher Mickelson stormed through to plant the ball down. Toa nailed the conversion and the Owls edged within striking distance, 32–26, but time proved their enemy.

Despite late substitutions and a renewed push, the Vikings held firm, handing the Owls a narrow defeat in one of the season’s most spirited contests.

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Points Summary

Tuggeranong Vikings 32
Tries: Atora Hondo (2’), Lington Ieli (12’), Shane Wilcox (33’), Jacob Church (43’)
Conversions: Louis Bartley-Saena 3/4 (3’, 13’, 33’)
Penalty Goals: Bartley-Saena (55’)

Uni-Norths Owls 26
Tries: Samuel Toa (17’), Zeb Maddinson (40’), Harvey Cordukes (58’), Christopher Mickelson (72’)
Conversions: Samuel Toa 3/4 (17’, 58’, 72’)

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Team Lists

Uni-Norths Owls 1st Grade

1. Zeb Maddinson
2. Christopher Mickelson
3. Rhys Van Nek
4. Billy Hansen
5. Harvey Cordukes
6. Samuel Mickelson (C)
7. Tobias Macpherson
8. Miller Tauiliili-Pelesasa
9. Zion Going
10. Samuel Toa
11. Patrick Callaughan
12. Ollie Sapsford
13. Liae Tuilagi
14. Siave Seti
15. Jordan Thompson
    Reserves: Will Hodge, Tauati Chan Tung, Vaotangi Mafi, Molia Feleleai, Joshua Reis, Polynesia Crichton, Ignacio Bonsembiante, Charlie Crozier

Tuggeranong Vikings 1st Grade

1. Lington Ieli
2. Samuel Thomas
3. Silafono Titiuti
4. Amaani Vercoe-Aoina
5. Rhys Griffiths
6. Eli Langi
7. Nathan Beil (C)
8. Justin Sikimeti
9. Atora Hondo
10. Louis Bartley-Saena
11. Jacob Church
12. Keresoma Tuilagi
13. Andrew Robinson
14. Shane Wilcox
15. Yoshiaki Taniguchi
    Reserves: Joel Leiper, Nick Cushan, Remsy Lemisio, Alexander Kerr, TJ Sione, Pelasio Samuelu Niuula, Luke Black, Josiah Lealiifano