Uni-Norths Owls secured a thrilling 31–29 victory over Western District Lions in Round 8 at ANU North Oval, with a late penalty goal from flyhalf Samuel Toa sealing the win in the dying moments of the game.

The match was made all the more special for two Owls veterans—lock Samuel Mickelson marked his 50th First Grade appearance, while his brother, hooker Christopher Mickelson, celebrated his 50th Club game.

The contest was tight throughout, with both teams pushing hard in the physical exchanges. The Owls responded to the challenge with halfback Ben Roberton crossing for a try in the 9th minute. Toa added the conversion, and his boot would be pivotal in the tight affair.

In the 26th minute, Kealii Leuluai crossed for a try, followed by another successful conversion from Toa. The game remained evenly poised, and Wests kept the pressure on.

In the 50th minute, Jasper Simmons was shown a yellow card for repeated infringements, leaving the Owls down a man. But despite the numerical disadvantage, the Owls dug deep, and in the 57th minute, Samuel Toa crashed over for a try, which he then converted to keep the game in the balance.

The Owls made a key substitution in the 57th minute, bringing on Vaotangi Mafi for Te Huia Kutia. Just moments later, Mafi made an impact, scoring a try in the 70th minute, with Toa adding the conversion. With the match nearing its end, the score was still tight, and Wests continued to press, keeping the Owls on edge.

As the final moments ticked away, Toa calmly slotted a penalty goal in the 81st minute, a repeat of his Round 1 heroics against Wests, giving the Owls a two-point lead and securing the victory. The home crowd at The Barn erupted in celebration as the kick sailed through, and the Owls secured a hard-fought 31–29 win.

Points Summary:

Tries:

• Owls: Ben Roberton, Kealii Leuluai, Samuel Toa, Vaotangi Mafi
• Wests: Ioelu Pisu, Jstar Taupau, Declan Whitton

Conversions:

• Owls: Samuel Toa
• Wests: Declan Whitton

Penalty Goals:

• Owls: Samuel Toa

Teams:

Uni-Norths Owls 1st Grade

1. Tauati Chan Tung
2. Christopher Mickelson
3. Te Huia Kutia
4. Tobias Macpherson
5. Samuel Mickelson (captain)
6. Jasper Simmons
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. Riley Sellars
17. Zeb Maddinson
18. Vaotangi Mafi
19. Ben Martens
20. Uli Latukefu
21. Polynesia Crichton
22. Stirling Doyle
23. Molia Feleleai

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Western District Lions 1st Grade

1. Timoci Sauvoli
2. Ioelu Pisu
3. Aisake Atani
4. Tavita Pouesi
5. Joe Toma
6. William Lamese
7. Jstar Taupau
8. Ryan Kiely (captain)
9. Reuben Dyer
10. Tama Faitua
11. Oryaan Kalolo
12. Nofoasa Lemalu
13. Rohnin Parsons
14. Dylan Bretton
15. Declan Whitton
    Substitutes:
16. Edward Bradley
17. Nicholas Vili
18. Angus Ryan
19. Maika Ravouvou
20. Bailey Bretton
21. Caleb Stevens
22. Alamu Toomata