A masterclass from Queensland Reds centre Mel Wilks has given Bond University a shot at a rare hat-trick of StoreLocal Premier Women’s premierships.
Wilks was the two-try standout today when the Bull Sharks mauled minor premiers Sunnybank 57-19 in the major semi-final at GPS Rugby Club.
Earning direct entry into the grand final at Ballymore on September 1 is the significant prize and the Bull Sharks produced one of their best performances of 2024 to do it.
“Mel is a gun. The big occasions in the finals bring out her best when it’s like she is proving a point,” Bond University forward Grace Baker said.
“We really played like a family out there which hasn’t always been the case this season. That felt good.”
Wilks will head to Sydney on Monday to join the latest Wallaroos camp but the chance she deserves at the highest level has been elusive.
In the major semi, she clicked into gear when Sunnybank scored just after half-time to close the gap to 15-7.
She fended off four or five defenders in a solo 40m run which showed her balance, footwork and speed. She knocked over the conversion to extend the lead to 22-7.
When the Dragons produced another strikeback try, it was Wilks again who surged over with another answer for 29-14.
The Bull Sharks feasted from there. Replacement winger Dianne Waight dashed with determination for two tries.
Wallaroos prop Eva Karpani produced two classics of her own. For the first, she grubber kicked ahead. The ball rebounded off the upright and Karpani still had the soft hands to stoop, picked the ball up on the fly and plunge over.
Her final act was a bump off that sent a Sunnybank rival airborne before she surged over under the posts.
Wilks might have scored a hat-trick herself but for Sunnybank’s Wallaroo centre Cecilia Smith wrapping her up over the tryline and prevented a grounding.
“Eva’s presence really helped our pack. She also steps up in our huddles and gives good direction on what we need to do,” Wilks said.
Makeshift prop Paris Mohr really stepped up in her move from lock for the first time. At one point, the Bull Sharks scrum bulldozed the vaunted Sunnybank scrum in the first half.
It was already a hot 27 degrees when the semi-final kicked off before 11am and there was no doubt this aided the more fleet-of-foot Bull Sharks.
Young fullback Amahli Hala showed some nice touches with her timing and running lines and would benefit even more hunting for chances off Wilks.
BOND UNIVERSITY 57
Tries: Mel Wilks 2, Dianne Waight 2, Eva Karpani 2, Eva Doblo, Mahlia Snowden, Miya Rapana-Faifua
Conversions: Mel Wilks 6
Defeated
SUNNYBANK 19 Tries: Isabelle Robinson 2, Madisen-Jade Iva
Conversions: Alekermay Tuaana 2
