Bull Sharks women claim maiden rugby premiership

The team celebrates their win. Pictures: Cavan Flynn and Alan Patching 

The Bond University Bull Sharks are the Queensland Premier Women’s rugby champions after a stunning 25-12 win over Easts Tigers in yesterday’s Grand Final. 

After two tight losses to Easts in earlier rounds, the Bull Sharks stormed home to secure the rugby club’s first premiership trophy since 2015 in a powerful display at Suncorp Stadium. 

How it unfolded 

It was a slow start for the Bull Sharks with the Tigers showcasing their power up front and scoring two quick tries to lead 12-0. 

Thanks to some hard work from Bond’s backline, centre Melanie Wilks bridged the gap, her speed and strength on full display as she powered across for the Bull Sharks’ first try. 

Although trailing by five points at half-time, Bond came out strong in the second half as speedster Diane Waight crossed over to put the Bull Sharks back in the lead. 

Wilks scored another two penalty goals before experienced winger Caity Costello secured the win with a final try in front of the vocal crowd. 

Wilks was awarded the inaugural Cheyenne Campbell medal as player of the match.  

The history

The club's last Queensland rugby silverware came in 2015 when the Premier Reserve Grade team claimed victory in their Grand Final against Brothers.

What they said 

John Eales Rugby Excellence Scholarship holder and second rower Zoe Hanna was full of emotion following the bruising encounter. 

“I’m so stoked that we won. The first 20 was a bit risky when they scored two tries straight up with plenty of physicality but we stayed composed and backed our fitness to get the job done,” she said. 

Bond had struggled against the Tigers earlier in the season and took the lessons from those defeats into the finals. 

“We just wanted it so badly and we knew what we needed to improve going into the match. We knew we had to just stick to what we do well, which we did coming away with the win,” Hanna said. 

“I was so exhausted, but all the energy just came through me running to the girls and when we went over to the supporters and sung the team song that was such a great moment.”  

The details

Bond University  25 (Tries: Mel Wilks, Dianne Waight, Caity Costello. Conversions: Wilks 2. Penalties: Wilks 2)  

Easts Tigers 12 (Tries: Maggie Glassock, penalty try).