The Tuggeranong Viqueens made amends for three years of heartbreak to breakthrough for their first women's grand final win in almost a decade with a clinical display on Saturday.
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The Viqueens overpowered the Uni-Norths Owls in the second half to secure a 32-8 win at Viking Park, completing a perfect undefeated season after the scores were locked at half-time.
Brumbies No. 8 Tayla Stanford forced her way across the line twice in a player-of-the-match effort and the Viqueens erupted in celebration at the end of the match after final exorcising their grand final demons.
The Viqueens have lost the past three grand finals, including a shattering loss in the decider last year after winning every match of the regular season. Their win against the Owls was their first title since 2010.
"We've waited a long time for that, so it felt really good to get that win with the girls," Stanford said.
"The biggest thing was that after three years of losing [the grand final], I wasn't going to let it happen again this year. We all lifted each other in that second half, we were really hungry for the win.
"I knew that we had what it took to win this year and we've gelled really well. In the first half I think we had a lot of nerves, but once we got that out of the way we could really get into it."
The Viqueens win made sure the Tuggeranong club completed an impressive day of grand finals, which also included winning the first grade title and the Colts decider.
The Vikings had a team in all six grand finals, but had to settle for three wins and three losses after the Queanbeyan White won second grade, ADFA won the first division first grade title after the siren and RMC won the first division second grade match.
The Viqueens were the most relieved Tuggeranong side after another impressive regular season. The standard of the competition lifted to a new level this year after the inaugural Super W season.
"I'm so happy, I can't even explain the excitement going through me," said Viqueens captain Peta Cox.
"We weren't going to get beaten this year. It sure does [make it more special]. The first 20 minutes were very tough and then we got composed. That was good because the results came.
"There are a few girls that have done it for a few years [and lost grand finals], but the new girls stepped up and helped us get there."
The Viqueens and Owls were both missing key players, with Shellie Milward and Georgia O'Neill missing the game after being picked in the Wallaroos squad to play at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
AT A GLANCE
Women: TUGGERANONG VIQUEENS 32 (Tayla Stanford 2, Ema Masi, Regan Hart, Nora Lal tries; Emily Sogal 2 conversions, penalty) bt UNI-NORTHS OWLS 8 (Dana-Louise Deklin try; Bridgette Cunningham penalty).
OTHER GRADES
John I Dent Cup: TUGGERANONG VIKINGS 29 (Andrew Robinson 2, Luke Gersekowski, Michael Henry, Ryan Lonergan tries; Ryan Lonergan 2 conversions) bt ROYALS 17 (Luke Kimber, Lausii Taliauli tries; Pedro Rolando 2 conversions, penalty) at Viking Park on Saturday.
Second grade: QUEANBEYAN WHITES 37 bt TUGGERANONG VIKINGS 8.
Colts: TUGGERANONG VIKINGS 29 bt QUEANBEYAN WHITES 12.
First division first grade: ADFA 19 bt TUGGERANONG VIKINGS 17
First division second grade: RMC 24 bt TUGGERANONG VIKINGS 17
