The 500-strong crowd at the home of Auckland University Rugby Club were spoilt with 70 min of exciting, fast-paced rugby to seal the 2022 season.
AGGS went into the final as the early favourites but the evasive Mount Albert Grammar girls weren’t going to let that hinder their chances to take the silverware home.
Mount Albert were the first on the board with slick hands and evasive skills shown by Minako Taniyama and strong carries by Tyla Rihari, giving them an early lead.
But it wasn’t long before AGGS weapon and halfback Aleiyah Tuala, who throughout the year has shown why she has been touted with a promising future, strung together several phases before AGGS were able to shoot ahead and take the lead off MAGS.
Tuala, in partnership with forward Seriah Palepale, were clinical yet ruthless with several tries through the MAGS defence that would have caught the attention of Auckland Storm coach and Black Fern legend Anna Richards.
Both teams went back and forth for most of the game until AGGS could get ahead and force MAGs to chase them. In doing so, unforced errors were creeping in, and AGGS capitalised to seal the deal with a try in the far left corner sending their supporters into a frenzy.
But it wasn’t just the try-scoring feat being celebrated. The try was converted from the corner, and it was here that AGGS had set their sights on locking away the championship with a 26-12 victory and now head to their Blues Region qualifier next week.
Congratulations to all teams participating in the Girl’s 1st XV competition this year.