7s heaven for Bond women

The Bond University women's 7s side have capped off a history-making 2022 by taking out the inaugural Charlotte Caslick Cup at the Queensland State Sevens in Noosa. 

The Bull Sharks had already claimed the Queensland Premier Rugby 15s and National University 7s titles before completing the clean sweep on the Sunshine Coast.

Bond secured the Caslick Cup in a thrilling semi-final win over the East Tigers but their relentless appetite for silverware wasn’t satisfied until they stormed through the final of the Noosa 7s tournament with a stunning defeat of the Uni Series All Stars team 30-0.

How it played out

In perfect 7s conditions, Bond started the tournament with four important wins including a narrow victory over Sunnybank 14-10 and a hard fought 10-5 triumph over the Uni All Stars to top their pool heading into finals Sunday. 

The Bull Sharks then ran into Darling Downs in the quarter finals where once again they had to dig deep after falling behind 26-19 with under a minute to play. But Georgia Sim found some space down the edge to score and Sim then slotted the conversion which secured the draw and propelled Bond into the semis.

Bond found another gear from there, cruising past rivals Easts 36-7 to secure the Caslick Cup before Melanie Wilks put on a clinic in the final, scoring two tries and setting up two more to down the All Stars.

What they said

Ava Wereta has been one of the stars for Bond throughout their record-breaking season, but she said it was the spread of contributions from the entire team that set the Bull Sharks apart.

“Honestly words can’t describe how proud I am of our team.  We started off a little rocky on day one but every single one of the girls stepped up on finals day and played for each other,” she said. 

In a squad full of youth, Wereta said the experience of established stars Caitlin Costello, Emily Bass, Sophie Holyman and Melanie Wilks had been crucial to the Bull Sharks’ successes.

“It’s such a privilege playing alongside such experienced players like them, they are really great mentors on and off the field and have had a massive influence on the group,” she said.

The 16-year-old admits she could never have imagined the whirlwind ride the Bull Sharks would go in 2022 on their way to three premierships in a single season.

“This year has been crazy with my first season playing women’s rugby I couldn’t have asked for a better one and I’m so grateful to have been a part of such a successful season,” she said. 

 Results

 V Bull Sharks W 47-0

V Sunnybank W 14-10

V Uni All Stars W 10-5

V Wests W 48-0 

V Darling Downs D 26-26 

V Easts W 36-7 

V Uni All Stars W 30-0 

7s season summary 

University National 7s 

Uni 7s - Adelaide – First

Uni 7s - Newcastle – First 

Uni 7s - Canberra – Second 

GC 7s – Third 

Brisvegas 7s – First 

Noosa 7s – First