Match Report: Owls Women break drought with last-minute win over ViQueens
The Uni-Norths Owls Premier Women have broken their long-standing hoodoo against the Tuggeranong ViQueens, coming from behind to claim a thrilling 27–22 win at ANU North Oval in Round 9 of the Bentspoke Premier 15s.
It was the Owls who opened the scoring, with Madeleine Gogala calmly slotting a penalty goal to get her side on the board early. The home side looked composed throughout the first half, matching the ViQueens in the physical exchanges and putting together promising attacking phases.
After the break, however, the Owls found themselves trailing as Tuggeranong took advantage of some loose moments to edge ahead. But with the match in the balance and time running out, the Owls surged back.
Winger Liana Taufa’ao was electric down the left edge, crossing for a stunning hat-trick to breathe life into the Owls’ attack. Gogala added two crucial conversions to narrow the gap and eventually reclaim the lead.
In the final minutes, flanker Meilani Salale powered over for the match-winner, sealing a famous win and snapping a two-year losing streak against the ViQueens — their first victory over Tuggeranong since the 2023 Grand Final.
Final Score
Uni-Norths Owls 27
(Tries: Taufa’ao 17′, 59′, 66′; Salale 70′ | Conversions: Gogala 59′, 66′ | Penalty: Gogala 6′)
Tuggeranong ViQueens 22
Uni-Norths Owls Premier 15s
- Benita Ese Sale
- Annabelle Mickelson
- Sophie Taplin
- Cadyn Morgan-McGregor
- Madeleine Gogala
- Adelaide Trevaskis
- Meilani Salale
- Emily Carroll
- Jane Garraway (C)
- Emerina Marsh-Kiro
- Sophie Tuilagi
- Claudia Obst
- Elodie Galinier
- Liana Taufa’ao
- Molly White
Substitutes: - Ellie Brislane
- Lauren Nguyen
- Makira Wright
Tuggeranong ViQueens Premier 15s
- Vika Ngata (C)
- Amelia Kiriui
- Jessica Boxall-Mau
- Bridget O’Brien
- Annie Ott
- Dayna Cockbain
- Nicole Knight
- Ilana Tabulutu
- Siena Edwards
- Name Withheld
- Paua-lee Going
- Zali Waihape
- Tijana Zdravevska
- Jasmine Claven
- Jade Bunn (C)
Substitutes: - Sharon Waihape
- Rita Palm
- Molly Kelly
- Charlotte Komorowski
- Charlotte Roach
- Ro Unaisi Radinitakala Bonawai
