As we head into the competitions Finals, there was no shortage of action across the regular season in the ACT and Southern NSW region.
In the Southern Tablelands Monaro Cup Preliminary Final, Jindabyne Bushpigs held off Cooma Red Devils 31–15 to book their place in the Grand Final on 8 August against Bungendore Mudchooks.
The Women's 10s Qualifying Finals produced two decisive results, with Jindabyne Miss Piggies defeating Easts 43–12 and Cooma Devils Angels defeating Goulburn Dirty Reds 27–22, setting up a Grand Final between the two clubs who will play their match ahead of the Southern Tablelands Monaro Cup Final out at the Bugendore Sports Hub.
In the Bellchambers Barrett Canberra Suburban Cup Preliminary Final, Hall Bushrangers held on for a nail-biting 31–29 win over Bateman's Bay Boars to face Easts Red for the competition Grand Final, also on 8 August.
Match of the Round for ACT Premier Rugby was the Canberra Royals and Tuggeranong Vikings clash in the BentSpoke John I Dent Cup, which doubled as a Brumbies Shield fixture, with the Vikings running out commanding 48–36 winners. Elsewhere in the John I Dent Cup, Uni-North Owls edged Gungahlin Eagles in a thrilling 27–26 encounter, and Queanbeyan Whites were dominant in a 50–0 shutout of Western District Lions.
In the BentSpoke Premier 15s, the Tuggeranong Viqueens were in excellent form, accounting for Canberra Royals 40–17, while the Gungahlin Eagles Premier Women continued their impressive season with a 27–17 win over Uni-North Owls.
The Spence Cup saw Tuggeranong Vikings post a strong 38–14 win over Canberra Royals, with Silas Pilot crossing for three tries, while Queanbeyan Whites were dominant in a 52–19 victory over Western District Lions, and Uni-North Owls and Gungahlin Eagles shared the points in a 21–21 draw.
A 12–12 draw between Canberra Royals and Tuggeranong Vikings was the notable result in Premier Fourth Grade, while Queanbeyan Whites posted a remarkable 69–10 win over Western District Lions in the same grade.
Round 16
Match Statistics:
Game 1: Uni-North Owls 27 – 26 Gungahlin Eagles
Uni-North Owls
- Tries: T. Macpherson (2), J. Reis, L. Chan-Tung
- Conversions: C. Kirsten (2)
- Penalty Goals: C. Kirsten
Gungahlin Eagles
- Penalty Tries: 1
- Tries: T. Ciot, C. Toole (2)
- Conversions: T. Alofipo (2)
Game 2: Queanbeyan Whites 50 – 0 Western District Lions
Queanbeyan Whites
- Tries: J. Tominiko, J. Gordon, D. Feliuai Lene, J. Saumaisue, E. Kruger, K. Salim, N. Hepi, N. Carroll
- Conversions: N. Carroll (5)
Game 3: Canberra Royals 36 – 48 Tuggeranong Vikings
This fixture also served as a Brumbies Shield match.
Canberra Royals
- Tries: D. Fogarty (2), D. Nelson, T. Vaipulu, L. Bowron, J. Mcleod
- Conversions: O. Crowther (2), P. Rolando
Tuggeranong Vikings
- Tries: B. Buesnel, I. Pisu, B. Martino, M. Sorovi, A. Robinson, R. Lemisio, K. Tuilagi, F. Lesa
- Conversions: T. Edmed (4)
Round 16
Match Statistics:
Western District Lionesses – Bye
Game 1: Canberra Royals 17 – 40 Tuggeranong Viqueens
Canberra Royals
- Tries: E. Fereday, H. Taylor-Young (2)
- Conversions: S. Wright
Tuggeranong Viqueens
- Tries: P. Going (2), Z. Waihape-Andrews, R. Vidler, T. Zdravevska, O. Faitua
- Conversions: T. Zdravevska (5)
Game 2: Uni-North Owls 17 – 27 Gungahlin Eagles
Uni-North Owls
- Tries: F. Moleka, E. Marsh-Kiro, C. Obst
- Conversions: F. Moleka
Gungahlin Eagles
- Tries: M. Paraone, B. Patmore (2), S. Maake, E. Savelio
- Conversions: O. Scott
Round 16
Match Statistics:
Game 1: Uni-North Owls 21 – 26 Gungahlin Eagles
Uni-North Owls
- Tries: T. Vaili (2), A. Gardner
- Conversions: A. Gardner (3)
Gungahlin Eagles
- Tries: N. Hamels, Z. Greenwood, B. Pumpa, M. Kaufusi
- Conversions: A. Tregonning (3)
Queanbeyan Whites – Bye
Game 2: Canberra Royals 14 – 24 Tuggeranong Vikings
Canberra Royals
- Tries: H. Pikari, J. Phillips
- Conversions: B. Fogarty (2)
Tuggeranong Vikings
- Tries: L. Collier, M. Ngatai, L. Afamiliona, C. Voutos
- Conversions: K. Mccann, T. Evenden
Round 16
Match Statistics:
Game 1: Queanbeyan Whites 52 – 19 Western District Lions
Queanbeyan Whites
- Tries: J. Preston, L. Smith, T. Mcguinness (2), J. Rarabalavu, L. Stanley, M. Bell (2)
- Conversions: T. Mcguinness (4), K. Billiards (2)
Western District Lions
- Penalty Tries: 1
- Tries: J. Tonkin, M. Irvine
- Conversions: A. Karotam
Game 2: Canberra Royals 14 – 38 Tuggeranong Vikings
Canberra Royals
- Tries: S. Heffernan, W. Johnston
- Conversions: J. Barber (2)
Tuggeranong Vikings
- Tries: S. Pilot (3), T. Nagel, W. Wentzel, H. Davis
- Conversions: J. Lonergan (4)
Game 3: Uni-North Owls 21 – 21 Gungahlin Eagles (Draw)
Uni-North Owls
- Tries: F. Burrows, J. Gardner, V. Mafi
- Conversions: C. Crozier (3)
Gungahlin Eagles
- Tries: T. Hays, N. Butt, H. Laidler
- Conversions: S. Chapman (3)
Round 16
Match Statistics:
Gungahlin Eagles – Bye
Game 1: Queanbeyan Whites 40 – 19 Western District Lions
Queanbeyan Whites
- Tries: C. Prail, D. Sparkhall, N. Nadruku (2), R. Forbes, M. Mcdonald
- Conversions: J. Negus (5)
Western District Lions
- Tries: J. Nagauna (2), H. Bensley
- Conversions: C. Stevens (2)
Game 2: Canberra Royals 0 – 26 Tuggeranong Vikings
Tuggeranong Vikings
- Tries: C. Thompson, J. Henderson (2), G. Lukins
- Conversions: W. Girvan (3)
Game 3: Uni-North Owls 41 – 17 Goulburn Dirty Reds
Uni-North Owls
- Tries: H. Jephcott, M. Green (2), E. O'keeffe, M. Tebbutt, L. Ives, Z. Barry
- Conversions: S. Benson (3)
Goulburn Dirty Reds
- Tries: K. Sakiasi, S. Minehan, G. Watt
- Conversions: B. Courts
Round 16
Match Statistics:
Game 1: Canberra Royals 12 – 12 Tuggeranong Vikings (Draw)
Canberra Royals
- Tries: J. Bindley, M. Cole
- Conversions: T. Cash
Tuggeranong Vikings
- Tries: M. Jolley (2)
- Conversions: T. Lachlan
Game 2: Queanbeyan Whites 69 – 10 Western District Lions
Queanbeyan Whites
- Tries: R. Forbes (3), B. Camaivuna, B. Reid (2), T. Aitken, R. Mcelroy (2), B. Fitzpatrick, W. Grame
- Conversions: R. Mcelroy (6), B. Reid
Western District Lions
- Tries: J. Faint, D. Hogg
Game 3: Uni-North Owls 27 – 29 Goulburn Dirty Reds
Uni-North Owls
- Tries: R. Linden (2), W. Cattle (2)
- Conversions: R. Krauss (2)
- Penalty Goals: R. Krauss
Goulburn Dirty Reds
- Tries: T. Hughes, M. Thompson, P. Craig, J. Rudd
- Conversions: J. Rudd (3)
- Penalty Goals: J. Rudd
Gungahlin Eagles – Bye
Preliminary Final
Match Statistics:
Game 1: Jindabyne Bushpigs 31 – 15 Cooma Red Devils
Jindabyne Bushpigs
- Tries: F. Chatten (2), H. Burbury (2), M. Jones
- Conversions: D. Johnson (3)
Cooma Red Devils
- Tries: D. Roach, J. Rudd
- Conversions: H. Caldwell
- Penalty Goals: H. Caldwell
Jindabyne Bushpigs advance to the Southern Tablelands Monaro Cup Grand Final on 8 August, where they will face Bungendore Mudchooks.
Preliminary Final
Match Statistics:
Game 1: Hall Bushrangers 31 – 29 Bateman's Bay Boars
Hall Bushrangers
- Tries: L. Williams (2), D. Holgate, B. Jones
- Conversions: J. Murphy (4)
- Penalty Goals: J. Murphy
Bateman's Bay Boars
- Tries: J. Nakabea, T. Liggins, A. Kenny, A. Knight
- Conversions: J. Thomas (3)
- Penalty Goals: J. Thomas
Hall Bushrangers advance to the Bellchambers Barrett Canberra Suburban Cup Grand Final on 8 August, where they will face Easts Red.
Qualifying Finals
Match Statistics:
Game 1: Jindabyne Miss Piggies 43 – 12 Easts
Jindabyne Miss Piggies
- Tries: T. Grainger (4), B. Lai, E. Klemm, L. Godding
- Conversions: E. Klemm (4)
Easts
- Tries: K. Koski, M. Riwaka
- Conversions: S. Fangaloka
Game 2: Goulburn Dirty Reds 22 – 27 Cooma Devils Angels
Goulburn Dirty Reds
- Tries: J. O'brien, E. Seaman (2), N. Waddell
- Conversions: A. Mewburn
Cooma Devils Angels
- Tries: E. Quodling (3), D. Barron, L. Horsfield
- Conversions: N. Kelly
Jindabyne Miss Piggies and Cooma Devils Angels advance to the Women's 10s Grand Final on 8 August.
Match Statistics:
Game 1: Canberra Royals 36 – 48 Tuggeranong Vikings
Scorer details as listed above in the BentSpoke John I Dent Cup section.
