UQ Uni 7s: UQ, UC undefeated on opening day

Sat, Sep 16, 2017, 6:23 AM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
Super action on day one from the University of Queensland as the home side and the University of Canberra came away undefeated. Here's the best of the action.

University of Queensland and the University of Canberra are undefeated through the opening day of Aon Uni 7s action in Brisbane.

UC have been the surprise packets of the tournament, beating Griffith and Bond in two particularly impressive performances before beating UNE in the final match of the day.

UQ weren't troubled in their three pool matches, easily accounting for UA, UTAS and Macquarie in front of their home crowd.

UC will face Bond in the first of two semi finals tomorrow, with UC set to square off with Macquarie.

Here's how the day panned out.

4pm - University of Canberra 29 University of New England 14


UNE went into this match without troubling the scorers all day but Hannah Southwell arrested any fears of her side going scoreless for the day, scoring a double in the loss to UC.

UC were without Aussie Sevens star Cassie Staples for the majority of the match and it showed, the side lacking the spark in attack they had in the big wins over Griffith and Bond.

Staples made a late appearance and scored a spectacular try but it was left to Yasmin Meakes, Talei Wilson and Sophie Quirk to do the damage early.

UC's win put them clear on top ahead of day two, meaning they will face Macquarie in a semi final tomorrow.

3:40pm - Bond University 19 Griffith University 15

Bond are through to the semi final in Brisbane. Photo: SportographyJessika Elliston set Bond on the right path immediately, scoring a superb individual effort from 70 out, before Charlotte Caslick matched Elliston with a try from within her own half four minutes later.

That opened up a 12-0 lead but Griffith star Alysia Lefau Fakaosilea popped a perfect pass to Sam Treherne to put her over and narrow the gap to 14-5 at the half time break.

Bond opened that gap back up to lead 19-5 before Griffith hit back, setting up a grandstand finish when Laura Waldie scored but Bond held on to secure a final four berth.

3:20pm - University of Adelaide 25 University of Tasmania 5

UTAS couldn't get a win despite some improved performances at St Lucia. Photo: SportographyAdelaide have been below par today but they struck first, a strong Mahalia Murphy burst setting up Lauren Kildare for the first five pointer of the match.

UA should have scored their second three minutes later but Eva Karpani dropped the ball over the line, leaving it to Kildare to score her second of the afternoon after a wayward UTAS kick gave Adelaide the ball back.

UA picked up where they left off in the second term, Karpani making up for her blunder with a 60 metre effort to put her side up 15-0.


Vani Pelite then nabbed a try of her own before Karpani sent a UTAS defender sprawling en route to her second.

UTAS scored a late try but they remain winless, with UA notching their first win of the day.

3pm - University of Queensland 21 Macquarie University 5


Macquarie had first use of the ball and quickly worked their way into the UQ half, only for the home side to repel that attack, go into the Macquarie red zone and cross for their first, with Nita Maynard in the bin for a high shot.

UQ won the restart and Mackenzie Sadler was over soon after, taking full advantage of the one-woman advantage to go into the break up 14-0.

Grace Kaihau added a third halfway through the second term, sealing the result for the home side and keeping their overall record at a perfect 13 from 13, despite a late consolation try to Macquarie star Katie Harrison.

1:20pm - University of Canberra 25 Bond University 12

Cassie Staples has been the star of the opening day at St Lucia. Photo: SportographyUC have stamped themselves as the rising stars of the competition, pulling off their second straight upset in impressive fashion against Bond.

Bond were never given room to move in the 25-12 result, UC star Cassie Staples scoring a scintillating hat trick in the five try performance.

UC were organised in defence and patient in attack, relying on the playmaking of Yasmin Meakes and Sarah Carter to steer their assault on the UC line.

That gave Staples plenty of room to move and she has the turn of foot to leave any defender in the country clutching at air.

UC now look certain to top Pool B, with their remaining group match coming against a UNE side yet to register a point today.

1pm - Griffith University 34 University of New England 0

Griffith have bounced back from their loss to Canberra. Photo: SportographyAlysia Lefau Fakaosilea has been one of Griffith's stars and she scored her team's first with some nifty play - releasing the ball, getting to her feet and scoring after being dragged down metres short of the line.

Griffith then set up shop in the UNE half, strung some phases together and scored through Ana Afuie, before Fakaosilea scored her second of the match and opened up a 19-0 half time break.

Griffith scored three more after the half time siren, easily accounting for a UNE side that seem to have regressed from a much improved showing at Macquarie.

The pick of the second half tries was scored by Laura Waldie, the speedster sent careering away after Alana Elisaia ripped the ball free from a loose UNE carry.

12pm - University of Queensland 17 University of Tasmania 7

UQ have kept their perfect record in tact but it wasn't easy, coming from behind to beat UTAS.

UTAS took a 7-5 lead into the half time break and that was due to some brilliant work from Olivia White.

The basketball player turned Sevens star won a penalty deep inside the UQ half, took a quick tap and barrelled her way over under the posts, putting UTAS in front at the break.

The Tasmanians were unable to capitalise on some clean ball deep in the UQ half and the crowd favourites made them pay, Grace Kaihau setting up one try before scoring the sealer.

11:40am - Macquarie University 34 University of Adelaide 10

Adelaide were no match for Macquarie. Photo: SportographyMacquarie had first use of the ball and immediately turned pressure into points, Katie Harrison scoring their first of the match.

Harrison had a double inside the first three minutes, showing superb speed and a clinical edge to finish in the left hand corner for Macquarie's second.

By this stage, Macquarie had set up camp inside the Adelaide half and they were taking the opportunities that opened up, Emily Chancellor squeezing through the line to score, before they added their fourth to cap a dominant 22-0 opening term.

Macquarie were exposing Adelaide out wide and that's where Harrison found space for her third try,

Eva Karpani responded from the restart that followed, claiming the ball and setting off on a 60 metre run to put Adelaide on the board.

Olivia Brooks returned serve for Macquarie, again exposing Adelaide out wide to open up a 34-5 lead.

Vani Pelite scored a late consolation try but Macquarie were far too good.

10:40am - University of Canberra 17 Griffith University 12


UC have pulled off the first upset of the tournament, a Talei Wilson try after the siren securing victory against Griffith.

Aussie Sevens star Cassie Staples kept her side in the match with a pair of brilliant individual efforts either side of half time, with Griffith star Alysia Lefau Fakaosilea doing the same for her side, scoring one try before setting up another.

UC set up camp inside the Griffith 22 for the majority of the second term but blew two opportunities to put their noses in front, leaving it to Wilson to run 60 metres down the right hand sideline to score under the posts and put her team on the board.

10:20am - Bond University 22 University of New England 0

Brooke Walker and Bond are on the board. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Karen WatsonBond dominated possession early and crossed twice in the first term, Bailey Marshall scoring on the half time siren to open up a 12-0 lead.

UNE couldn't get their hands on the ball and when they did, Bond were able to force turnovers with relative ease.

Brooke Walker showed superb leg drive to power through contact and put the result beyond doubt with two minutes to play, before Stephanie Rutherford scored a brilliant length of the field effort to seal the result on the siren.

10:00am - Macquarie University 17 University of Tasmania 5

Shanice Parker and UTAS couldn't overcome Macquarie. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Karen WatsonThe first term was filled with some really good play by both sides, on either side of the ball.

USA star Kiki Morgan scored the first of the match, beating Olivia Brooks to cross early on.

Macquarie hit back as the half time siren sounded, leaving the score at 5-all at the break.

Macquarie came out a more clinical side in the second term, defending with poise before methodically dissecting the UTAS defence, Chloe Dalton crossing to open up a 10-5 lead.

Katie Harrison then found space down the right hand sideline and showed a clean pair of heels to streak clear and score from 60 out.

9:40am - University of Queensland 29 University of Adelaide 5


UQ had all the ball in the opening exchanges and stayed patient while Adelaide repelled their initial attack, Janicke Ijdens eventually turning pressure into points for the first try of the day.

Eva Karpani nearly put Adelaide over for their first with a huge run but UQ held on, won the ball back and a brilliant pop pass put Emma Sykes away for her first of the day and a 14-0 half time lead.

Erica Fowler added to UQ's lead straight after half time before Emilee Cherry was injected to the match, the Aussie Sevens star setting Georgia Hannaway up for UQ's fourth of the match.

Cherry then crossed for a try of her own, before Adelaide scored a late consolation try.

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