The Capital 7s competition reached a fever pitch at the Bungendore Sports Hub on Saturday, 21 February, as the region’s clubs converged for a high-octane day of rugby. In a testament to the quality on display, two of the three Grand Finals were decided by a single point in the dying seconds of play.
The Tuggeranong Vikings have asserted their dominance in the Sevens format, claiming back-to-back titles with a gritty 31–21 victory over the Gungahlin Eagles.
Early pool matches suggested a Vikings' stroll to the trophy after they outclassed the Eagles 33–12 in the morning session. However, the Grand Final proved a much tighter affair. While the red men set the early tempo to build a lead, the Eagles showed immense character to claw their way back, crossing the stripe three times to keep the result in the balance.
Ultimately, the Vikings' clinical execution and the boot of Pelasio Niuula proved the difference. Niuula was the standout performer of the day, securing his second consecutive Player of the Tournament medal and finishing with a personal haul of 36 points.
In a blockbuster rematch of the 2025 BentSpoke Premier 15s Grand Final, the Wests Lionesses clutched victory from the jaws of defeat to secure a 22–21 win over the Uni-Norths Owls.
The Owls appeared to have the momentum firmly in their grasp, leading for the majority of the contest. However, the Lionesses refused to yield, with Merania Paraone turning the tide in the final minute to bring the Wests women within striking distance. In a frantic final sequence, the Owls looked to surge through the middle to seal the result, but a crucial turnover saw the ball land in the hands of the Lionesses. Not wasting a second, they shifted the ball rapidly to the blindside where Allie Booker sped down the touchline to dot down for the match-winning try.
Despite the heartbreak, Owls’ Charlise Cleary was named Player of the Tournament in the Women's Division, after a dominant six-try display across the festival raking in 34 points at the end of the day.
The Division 2 Grand Final provided the most dramatic finish of the day, as the Queanbeyan Whites stole a 22–21 victory from the Tumut/Veilomani Bulls in the final play of the game.
The combined Bulls outfit from East NSW looked to have the contest well in hand as the clock ticked down. However, a moment of individual brilliance from Queanbeyan’s Blake Miller saw him break the line and race away in the final seconds to break the Bulls' hearts.
It was a clinical finish to a very tight contest that kept the crowd at Bungendore on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
Miller also managed to nab himself the Division 2 Player of the Tournament following the final with strong standout performances throughout the day.
TUGGERANONG VIKINGS 31
Tries: Pelasio Niuula (2), Deveraux Tapelu, Tremayne Patelesio, Luke Black
Conversions: Pelasio Niuula (3)
GUNGAHLIN EAGLES 21
Tries: Samuel Pack, Sam Hyland, Ben Sawyer
Conversions: Samuel Pack, Sam Hyland, Ben Sawyer
WESTS LIONESSES 22
Tries: Merania Paraone (2), Emily Hudson, Allie Booker
Conversions: Merania Paraone
UNI-NORTHS OWLS 21
Tries: Elodie Galinier (2), Charlise Cleary
Conversions: Elodie Galinier (2), Charlise Cleary
QUEANBEYAN WHITES 22
TUMUT/VEILOMANI BULLS 21
The Capital 7s organisers would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Bungendore Mudchooks Rugby Union Club for their exceptional hospitality. The event ran seamlessly thanks to the club’s efforts in managing the canteen, running the BBQ, and looking after the officials and organising paramedics throughout the day.
The Mudchooks and Mudchicks are always welcoming new players. Training is held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Bungendore Sports Hub for anyone looking to get involved in the local rugby community.
