The Gungahlin Eagles produced a masterclass this afternoon to secure a commanding 45–3 victory over the Tuggeranong Viqueens.
It was the Viqueens that struck first in the opening minutes, winning a penalty directly in front of the posts. Fullback Siena Edwards sent the ball straight through to take the lead early, 3–0.
But alas, this would be the only points for the women in red.
After enduring a fierce, physical back-and-forth battle with no points scored, it was Eagles replacement front-rower Hulita Toefoki who broke through the Viqueens defence in the 18th minute for the first try of the match. With forward Olivia Scott's conversion, the Eagles took it to 7–3.
Soon after, Tongan international Siutiti Ma'ake crossed the chalk twice in quick succession to take her side's lead to 19–3. Both of the centre’s tries were equally impressive: the first saw her bust through two defenders to dot down, the second saw her snipe a gap in the defence to sprint home under the posts.
An arm wrestle ensued in the remaining minutes, with both sides heading into the break with the score locked at 19–3.
The Eagles picked up right where they left off after the restart.
Ma'ake bruised the Viqueens defence, taking out three defenders and leaving a gap wide open for lock Easter Savelio to pick-and-go and stretch the lead further.
Mere minutes later, Ma'ake was again at the centre of the Eagles' next try. Slipping multiple tackles and drawing the defence into the middle of the field, all the Gungahlin outfit had left to do was swing the ball wide to their left edge for loose forward Olivia Scott to cross. Scott's boot extended the scoreline to 33–3.
Ma'ake could not be stopped there.
Her final try of the match saw her slip three tackles down the right side of the pitch, crashing over, despite the defence's best efforts, to complete her hat-trick.
Prop Talina Driti capped off the side's dominant performance, bursting through off a quick ball from scrum-half Amy Rebera for the side's last try. Scott added the extras to see the side finish 45–3 over the Viqueens.
The Eagles will now head straight through to the Premier 15s Grand Final to be played on 29 August, and will face the winner of the Preliminary Grand Final.
