Semi-Final Results: Eagles Women Book Grand Final Spot, Colts Live On, Men’s Season Ends

SEMI-FINAL RESULTS: EAGLES WOMEN BOOK GRAND FINAL SPOT, COLTS LIVE ON, MEN’S SEASON ENDS

It was a big weekend of finals rugby for the Gungahlin Eagles, with all three grades in action across the John I Dent Cup semi-finals at Viking Park. The Women booked their place in the Grand Final, the Colts kept their finals hopes alive despite a tough loss, and the Men’s Premier campaign came to an end in extra time.

Here’s how each grade got on.

QUALIFICATION SEMI FINAL — WOMEN’S PREMIER XV vs TUGGERANONG VIKINGS

The Eagles Women underlined their finals credentials with a dominant 45-3 win over Tuggeranong Vikings. It’s the third time these two sides have met this season, with Gungahlin now holding the edge in the head-to-head after splitting the two regular-season clashes. This semi-final win puts them straight through to the decider.

Next up: the Grand Final, Saturday 29 August, 2:00pm at Viking Park 1, with the opponent to be confirmed following the other semi-final.

ELIMINATION FINAL — MEN’S PREMIER vs CANBERRA ROYALS

The Men’s campaign ended in heartbreaking fashion, going down 39-29 to Canberra Royals in extra time after the two sides couldn’t be separated in regulation. Royals struck first with an early penalty before adding a converted try to lead 10-0, but the Eagles hit back through Sam Veikune to close the gap before half-time. A converted try just before the break, finished off after good build-up play, saw Gungahlin edge ahead 12-10 at the interval.

The Eagles extended their lead early in the second half through Alec Corcoran, with Sam Chapman among the points again off the tee. Royals fought back to level and then edge ahead, but Chapman’s boot kept Gungahlin in touch. With time running out, Veikune struck again with an intercept try to level the scores at 29-29 and force extra time. Royals proved too strong in the additional period, scoring twice more to close out a 39-29 win.

It’s the fourth meeting between these two sides this season, with Royals taking out the season series 3-1. Unfortunately, this result brings the curtain down on the Men’s Premier season.

SEMI FINAL — COLTS vs TUGGERANONG VIKINGS COLTS

The Colts fell 29-22 to Tuggeranong Vikings Colts in a tightly contested semi-final, with tries to Bradley Patmore and a double to Jezaiah Sega not quite enough to get the job done, despite Ashton Tregonning adding the extras. It’s been a willing rivalry between these two sides all year, with this the fourth meeting of the season — Vikings now hold a 3-1 edge in the head-to-head, with Gungahlin’s win coming back in July.

The result doesn’t end Gungahlin’s finals campaign, though. The Eagles retain a double chance and will get another shot at a Grand Final berth in the Preliminary Final against Uni-Norths Owls Colts, Saturday 22 August, 11:00am at Viking Park.

LOOKING AHEAD

It’s a mixed bag heading into the final stretch of the season. The Women are through to the Grand Final on 29 August, the Colts get one more crack at it in the Preliminary Final on 22 August, while the Men’s Premier side’s season has come to a close after a gutsy extra-time effort. Thanks to everyone who came out to support all three grades across a huge weekend of finals footy.