The Uni-Norths Owls Premier Women’s XV capped off a phenomenal 2025 season with a gallant showing in Saturday’s Grand Final, falling 43–12 to a powerful Western Districts Lionesses outfit at Viking Park.

It wasn’t the fairytale finish the Owls had fought for, but the match was a testament to the team’s spirit, resilience, and connection. From their dominant scrum to moments of attacking brilliance, the Owls left nothing in the tank on the biggest stage of the year.

Under clear skies and in front of a roaring Viking Park crowd, the Grand Final kicked off at a relentless pace. Wests struck first, using early penalties and territorial dominance to build pressure, with Fogamanono Tusiga crossing in the 10th minute for the opener.

Wests added two more quick tries through Harmony Ioane and captain Jane Morrison, surging to a 15–0 lead by the 23rd minute.

But the Owls weren’t going anywhere. With skipper Jane Garraway steadying the ship and the scrum beginning to assert itself, the Owls clawed their way back into the contest. In the 29th minute, Molly White dived over in the left corner after a sweeping backline play to open the Owls’ account and lift the travelling supporters to their feet.

The Owls finished the half dominating the set piece and marching deep into Wests’ territory. Despite being held up over the line in a promising attacking raid, they went into the break trailing 15–5 but brimming with belief.

The Owls restarted with intent, and just minutes later, Emerina Marsh-Kiro produced one of the highlights of the match. Faking a pass and slicing through the defensive line, she powered over beneath the posts in the 42nd minute. Madeleine Gogala nailed the conversion, cutting the deficit to just three points at 15–12.

With the scrum continuing to dominate and the backs beginning to find space, the Owls had momentum and the Viking Park crowd buzzing. For a brief spell, Wests looked rattled. But in a brutal 20-minute stretch, the Lionesses landed a series of counterpunches that proved decisive. Lily Bone crossed for three tries, including a length-of-the-field intercept, while Jasmin Huriwai added one of her own, converting all four.

Despite the scoreboard, the Owls never stopped competing. From crunching tackles to enterprising attacking raids, they fought for every inch until the final whistle. When the siren sounded, the Wests faithful erupted, storming the field to celebrate their 2025 Premier 15s title.

For the Owls, there was disappointment but also immense pride. To reach another consecutive Grand Final in such a fiercely contested competition was an achievement in itself. This team is built on hard work, trust, and connection, inspired the Owls community all season and proved they belong among the competition’s elite yet again.

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Points Summary

Wests Tries: Tusiga (10’), Ioane (20’), Morrison (23’), Bone (46’, 53’, 62’), Huriwai (50’)
Owls Tries: White (29’), Marsh-Kiro (42’)
Wests Conversions: Huriwai 4/7 (46’, 50’, 53’, 62’)
Owls Conversions: Gogala 1/2 (42’)

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Team Lists

Uni-Norths Owls Premier 15s

1. Iris Verebalavu
2. Emily Carroll
3. Sophie Taplin
4. Meilani Salale
5. Madeleine Gogala
6. Adelaide Trevaskis
7. Jess Grant
8. Crystal Papalii
9. Jane Garraway (C)
10. Emerina Marsh-Kiro
11. Molly White
12. Ellie Brislane
13. Elodie Galinier
14. Holly George
15. Claudia Obst

Finishers: 17. Benita Ese Sale · 18. Annabelle Mickelson · 19. Katelyn Hill · 20. Raevyn Dixon ·
21. Sophie Tuilagi · 22. Belle Dare · 23. Cadyn Morgan-McGregor

Western Districts Lionesses Premier 15s

1. Jane Morrison (C)
2. Sydnee Cooke
3. Chelsea O’Brien
4. Paige Armstrong
5. Fogamanono Tusiga
6. Allie Booker
7. Emily Hudson
8. Jacquiline Pele
9. Lola Fletcher
10. Becka Marsters
11. Monica Gonzalez
12. Jasmin Huriwai
13. Emily Wright
14. Harmony Ioane
15. Emily Stanberg

Finishers: 16. Khalehla Mupudzi · 17. Kiani Harawira · 18. Lily Bone · 19. Chioma Enyi ·
20. Bianca Lincoln · 21. Zali Gibson · 22. Aaliyah Lomas