Junior Female Report: Finals Week 1

Lisa Fiaola Cup (U17) 

Melbourne Storm’s U17 side have secured a dramatic 27-26 victory against the Cronulla Sharks in Week 1 of the Lisa Fiaola Cup finals, producing a clutch field-goal in the dying moments to advance. 

Storm started the contest strongly with Harmony Taupau crossing in just the third minute before the Sharks responded quickly with two tries of their own.  

Melbourne managed to respond with a try of its own to stay within reach, Siulepa Peteru crossing in the 23rd minute to see Storm trail 20-12 at half-time. 

Storm continued to trade four-pointers with the Sharks in the second half, with Halo Matthews crossing in the 39th minute and Makerita Seinafolava also adding another to help bridge the gap. 

Heather Nasilai then crossed in the 54th minute to level the score and set up a grandstand finish. 

With the match on the line and scores tied up at 26-26, Ocean Kaiwai-Rangikauhata stepped up to cooly slot the field goal in the 56th minute to ensure Storm progressed through to the second week of Finals. 

Storm’s Lisa Fiaola side will now face the Bulldogs at Eric Tweedale Stadium in Sydney on Saturday the 18th of April.