A thrilling contest at Viking Park saw the Uni-Norths Owls fall just short, 24–27, against the Tuggeranong Vikings in Round 5 of the John I Dent Cup. Despite a determined fightback, a last-gasp try and conversion were not enough to overturn a strong Vikings performance.

 

The match opened at full throttle, with Lachlan Hooper crossing the line in the first minute to give the Vikings an immediate lead. Pelasio Samuelu Niuula stepped up and added the extras, putting the hosts ahead 7–0. But the Owls hit back just moments later. In the 2nd minute, Samuel Toa sliced through to score and then converted his own try to level things at 7–7.

 

The early momentum swung again when Bailey Buesnel finished in the 13th minute to restore the Vikings’ lead, 12–7. That margin would hold for most of the half until Toa added a penalty goal just before the break, narrowing the Vikings’ lead to 12–10 at halftime.

 

The second half featured fierce collisions, disciplined defending, and a flurry of changes. The Vikings struck first after the interval, with Niuula powering over in the 64th minute to stretch the lead to 17–10. Just three minutes later, Hooper grabbed his second try of the afternoon, and Louis Bartley-Saena added the conversion, pushing the margin to 24–10.

 

But the Owls refused to fade. In the 70th minute, replacement Christopher Mickelson scored to bring the Owls back into the contest, with Toa once again on target from the tee: 24–17.

 

Bartley-Saena appeared to have sealed the win with a penalty goal in the 79th minute, making it 27–17. Yet the Owls continued to fight to the end. Deep into overtime, Te Huia Kutia crashed over in the 83rd minute, and Toa nailed the sideline conversion to reduce the gap to just three points. But the final whistle came seconds later, ending a dramatic battle with the Vikings holding on.

 

The game featured several disciplinary and tactical turning points. Vikings flanker Jonathan Ryan received a yellow card in the first minute for repeated infringements, while Justin Sikimeti joined him in the bin later in the first half for intentional infringement. The Owls had Samuel Mickelson yellow-carded in the second half for repeated infringements. A string of tactical and injury substitutions from both benches kept the pace frenetic and physical throughout.

 

Try Scorers

Owls:
Samuel Toa (2′), Christopher Mickelson (70′), Te Huia Kutia (83′)

Vikings:
Lachlan Hooper (0′, 67′), Bailey Buesnel (13′), Pelasio Samuelu Niuula (64′)

 

Point Scorers

Owls:
Samuel Toa – 3 conversions, 1 penalty goal

Vikings:
Louis Bartley-Saena – 1 conversion, 1 penalty goal
Pelasio Samuelu Niuula – 1 conversion

 

Team Lists

Uni-Norths Owls 1st Grade

1. Zeb Maddinson

2. Christopher Mickelson

3. Vaotangi Mafi

4. Joshua Friend

5. Deklyn Reid

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: Riley Sellars, Tauati Chan Tung, Te Huia Kutia, Samuel Mickelson, Ben Martens, Polynesia Crichton, Jasper Simmons, Stirling Doyle

 

Tuggeranong Vikings 1st Grade

1. Nick Cushan

2. Bailey Buesnel

3. Jake Wentzel

4. Amaani Vercoe-Aoina

5. Lachlan Hooper

6. Nathan Beil

7. Jonathan Ryan

8. Justin Sikimeti

9. Aedan Billiards

10. Ryan Hoare

11. Jacob Church

12. Louis Bartley-Saena

13. Keresoma Tuilagi

14. Pelasio Samuelu Niuula

15. Josiah Lealiifano

Substitutes: Samuel Thomas, Wheru Logan Pou, Liuaki ae Lotu Percival, Alexander Kerr, Fletcher Rose, Marley Ngatai, Grayson Te Moana, Silas Pilot