Finals season has begun.
The Jindabyne Miss Piggies secured back-to-back ACT Rugby Women's 10s premierships with a thrilling 31–29 victory over the Cooma Red Devils Angels at Bungendore Sports Hub on Saturday, 8 August. In a dynamic repeat of the previous year's tight decider, Jindabyne wasted no time getting on the board, with Eden Klemm crossing the line in the opening minute. Cooma responded rapidly with two quick tries to briefly claim the lead, but the Miss Piggies fought back through a double from Tilhaney Grainger and a late first-half try from Andrea Marshall. Despite Jindabyne's attack, Cooma struck back right on the stroke of half-time to keep the match well within reach at 24–17.
The Devils Angels carried their momentum into the second half, pressing hard into Miss Piggies' territory. Although an outstanding try-saving tackle by Klemm initially halted their momentum, the Red Devils maintained relentless pressure deep in the opposition 22. After forcing a turnover, quick ball movement allowed Mischa Carnell to exploit a gap in the defence, levelling the scores at 24–24 and setting up a tense finish.
With the championship on the line, Klemm once again proved decisive for Jindabyne, breaking through two defenders to score and restore her side's lead. Cooma launched a fierce late assault as fatigue set in, with Kelly Wilson scoring to bring the Red Devils within two points. However, a crucial knock-on in the dying moments brought an end to Cooma's comeback attempt, sealing a dramatic two-point triumph and a second consecutive title for the Miss Piggies.
The Bungendore Mudchooks have claimed the 2026 Southern Tablelands Monaro Cup title, securing a convincing 31–15 Grand Final victory over the Jindabyne Bushpigs in front of a home crowd at Bungendore Sports Hub. Jindabyne struck first through loose forward Taylor Deer, but the Mudchooks responded ten minutes later with winger Jy Clarke crossing for their opening try. Five minutes later, fly-half Kyle Shand finished off a brilliant offload, streaking down the middle of the field to give Bungendore a 10–5 lead heading into the half-time break.
Jindabyne came out firing again early in the second half, with replacement loose forward Darcy Alexander scoring to lock the scores at 10–10. However, the home side answered immediately as lock Jack Stanford crashed through the defence to restore Bungendore's lead. The momentum swung decisively moments later when an errant Jindabyne pass resulted in a turnover, allowing Clarke to scoop up the loose ball and race 70 metres to score under the posts. Scrum-half Thomas Worman added the conversion to extend the advantage to 24–10.
Clarke put the result beyond reach shortly after, completing his hat-trick out wide following a sweeping movement up the pitch. Another successful conversion from Worman pushed the lead to 31–10 with nine minutes left on the clock. Although the Bushpigs managed a late consolation try in extra time, Bungendore held firm to seal the 31–15 victory, capping off a dominant season with only a single loss on their record.
Easts have claimed the Bellchambers Barrett Canberra Suburban Cup title on home turf, defeating Hall in a gruelling 100-minute extra-time thriller at Griffith Oval. The visitors struck the first blow of the Grand Final in the 31st minute when a quick tap sent the ball wide to winger Tyron Costigan to cross for the opening try. James Murphy added the extras from the tee to give Hall a 7–0 advantage, a lead they successfully defended into the half-time break.
Easts came out firing in the second half, channelling their attack down the blindside in front of an energetic home crowd. Rapid ball movement eventually found winger Sean Frater, who sliced through the defence to put the host side on the board and cut the deficit to two points. Ten minutes later, Easts mounted another blindside raid, culminating in a pick-and-go try from loose forward Nick Giugni to snatch a 10–7 lead. However, a penalty directly from the restart allowed Murphy to level the scores at 10–10 shortly after.
With time running out in regulation, Easts launched a sustained assault deep in opposition territory. After repeated phases failed to breach the line, the ball was swung wide from a five-metre lineout to inside centre Hugo Nobbs, who crossed to make it 15–10 with just six minutes remaining. Refusing to yield, Hall produced a dramatic late response when Costigan intercepted a pass with two minutes on the clock and sprinted downfield to score, locking the game up at full-time and forcing extra time.
The drama intensified in the extra period, starting with a penalty awarded to Easts for a dangerous tackle. Fly-half George Wawn stepped up under immense pressure to drill the kick, restoring an 18–15 lead. Shortly after, the match saw a turn of events when referee Kevin Cullen sustained an injury and was forced to exit the field, with Assistant Referee, Andrew Hahn stepping in to officiate the remainder of extra time.
Pinned deep in their own territory, Hall made a final attempt to break out, but a costly spill in attack proved fatal. Easts' Connor Evans reacted quickest, scooping up the loose ball to score right on the buzzer and seal a memorable victory, sending the Griffith Oval crowd into raptures after 100 minutes of action.
