The opening Regional Round of Aon University Sevens Series has been run and won in Brisbane and Sydney.
Sydney Uni and Griffith University claimed opening bragging rights, winning the finals of their respective pools in the first Regional Round.
Some starch defence and incredible flashes of brilliance from some up-and-coming stars characterised the second day of competition, as teams who showed the most resilience made it to the finals.
Here is how it all played out:
Round 5 Brisbane
08.20 UQ V Adelaide
UQ Started the second day in superb form, with a dominant performance over University of Adelaide.
The Romas put in some solid defensive efforts but couldn’t hold back the wave of attack from the UQ speedsters.
FT 26-0
8.40 Bond V Melbourne
Bond worked out the cobwebs, and showed good touches and creative link play on their way to a comfortable victory over Melbourne. Caitlyn Costello scored most of Bonds points in an impressive display.
Resting some key players, the Melbourne team showed good signs but weren’t able to break through for a score.
FT 29-0
Elimination Final
10.40 Adelaide V Melbourne
It was fourth v fifth playing for a spot in the second semi-final. University of Adelaide prevailed over a tenacious Melbourne team, with a Taj Heald try sealing the game.
FT 17-12
Semi-Finals Sydney
In the first semi, Mahalia Murphy was instrumental for UTS in their win. Canberra was able to strike back, but UTS finished strong.
FT 26-12
In the other semi, Sydney Uni and Newcastle played out an entertaining rematch of their round 1 thriller, where a crucial Piper Duck turnover on fulltime ensured the lionesses go through to Final.
FT 12-10
Semi-Finals Brisbane
Bond and Griffith played out an absorbing contest, with both teams attacking flair on display. Griffith were able to get the win.
FT 22-12
UQ took on elimination finalists University of Adelaide. It was all one-way traffic for UQ, running in six tries.
FT 36-0
Bronze Final Sydney
15.20 Canberra V Newcastle
The playoff between Canberra and Newcastle delivered on all the excitement that these two teams promised. It was a ding-dong battle throughout, with star players from both teams taking control of the game. Some crucial lapses in concentration from Newcastle allowed Canberra to get the ascendency. The game finished in erratic fashion, with Tessa Staines try proving the difference.
Gold Final Sydney
15.40 Sydney Uni V UTS
Dubbed the Battle of Parramatta Road, the two dominant Sydney teams exchanged tries early in the first half, with a score from Sydney Uni's Bridget Clark counted by a long-range effort from Maya Stewart from UTS. Clark followed it up for her double right on halftime with a great solo effort.
Grace Hamilton opened the scoring for Sydney Uni in the second half. Young gun Betty Koula clawed back a try with a great finish in the corner. UTS captain Mahalia Murphy saved a certain try, ankle-tapping Clark 15-metres out. Sydney Uni closed out the game with a deciding try from Claudia Nielsen off a dominant scrum.
FT 22-10
Bronze Final Brisbane
15.00 Bond V University of Adelaide
Adelaide set the tempo early with a fantastic try from Alice Gregory, only for Bond to hit back immediately through Phoebe McLoughlin. Gregory once again beat her opponent on the outside for a long-range effort. From there the floodgates opened for Bond, with tries to Wilkes, Manera and Costello, before the Romas pulled back two tries from Lauren Potter and Taj Heald.
FT 26-20
Gold Final Brisbane
15.20 Griffith University V UQ
The rivalry resumed in the final match of the day between UQ and Griffith. Kiri Lingman opened the scoring with an intercept try, followed by another to Georgina Friedrichs. UQ got on the scoreboard via Chloe Cocks just before the half.
To open the second half, Friedrichs took on the blindside and popped a terrific offload to set up Ivania Wong. UQ's Mackenzie Sadler finished up the game with a well-worked try, but it was a little too late as Griffith ran out victors of the first regional round.
FT 19-12
Catch up with a recap of Day One HERE
