By Jordan Hughes
It’s a new year, new coach and a new-look squad but the Bull Sharks’ premier women have carried on where they left off in 2022 by claiming the inaugural Australian Club Championship.
For the first time the reigning premiers from the Sydney and Brisbane competitions did battle to determine Australia’s best women’s rugby program and it was the Bull Sharks who prevailed with a 29-26 victory over Gordon thanks to a three-try haul from 18-year-old speedster Dianne Waight.
Gordon arrived in Brisbane with a much larger side and a clear intention to bully the smaller-framed Bull Sharks and the plan got them off to a flying start as they raced to a 12-0 lead after just seven minutes.
However the Bull Sharks pride themselves on their elusive skill and attacking mindset, and fought their way back into the match with two first-half tries.
The first was a stunning solo effort from 16-year-old Charlize Ratu who intercepted a Gordon pass before hurtling 85m to score while the second was a brilliant team effort with the ball going through seven sets of hands before flyhalf Ava Wereta scored under the posts to give Bond a narrow 14-12 lead at the break.
Bond extended their lead early in the second half when Waight crossed for her first after a pinpoint pass from Wereta.
Gordon struck back through their forwards, levelling the scores at 19-19 as the game entered a see-saw pattern with each club scoring a try each to give the Gazelles a 26-24 lead with six minutes left.
A moment of inspiration was needed to break the arm wrestle and it was Bond who was prepared to take a risk.
They took a quick tap inside their own 22m line and Waight used her pure speed and electric footwork to leave four Gordon defenders in her wake as she raced away for an 80m try.
Bond captain Elisha Godsiff was exhausted but incredibly proud of the never-say-die attitude in those final moments of the match.
Bond can now claim undisputed honours as the nation’s best program after a clean sweep of premier rugby and 7s competitions in 2022.
“It's huge - that final tick of the box. We didn’t really know what to expect with this game and having a new-look squad and coach but we backed our ability and found a way to win,” Godsiff said.
The first-grade men had their first trial of the year, showing the attacking threats they possess this season with Rhian Stowers and Abele Atunaisa, performing well in a 32-28 loss to Souths Magpies.