The Harlequeens – Campbelltown Harlequins Rugby Union Club’s women’s side – have claimed the club’s first trophy of 2026, securing the Chikarovski Cup in a thrilling grand final at Eric Tweedle Stadium, Parramatta. ANDREW CHOICE reports.
Facing the Hunter Wildfires, who edged them for the minor premiership by a single point, the match promised plenty and delivered even more.
Hunter opened the scoring with an early penalty, but Harlequins responded through the boot of Beyonce Marela, whose accuracy and tactical kicking were influential all afternoon.
With momentum building, the Harlequins forwards began to assert dominance. Led superbly by hooker Melissa Fatu, the pack controlled collisions and powered over from a lineout drive to take an 8–5 lead midway through the half.
Hunter struck back after a rare poor exit, reclaiming the advantage 10–8. But the Harlequeens showed composure beyond their years, regaining possession and finishing clinically out wide to take a 13–10 lead into halftime.
The second half opened at high tempo, with long passages of ball‑in‑play.
Nine minutes in, Marela’s pinpoint touch‑finder set up another attacking lineout five metres out. The forwards went to work again, extending the lead to 18–10.
The next 20 minutes were frantic, with both sides producing outstanding rugby.
A quick tap from Hunter narrowed the margin to 18–15, but Harlequins steadied, defended aggressively, and earned field position. Their pick‑and‑go game paid off, pushing the score to 25–15 with only minutes remaining.
Hunter mounted a desperate late surge, capitalising on tired Harlequins defence to close the gap to 25-20.
In the final minute, the Wildfires hammered the line through multiple phases, but the Harlequeens held firm. When the last play broke down, the whistle confirmed Harlequins’ first premiership of 2026.
There were no passengers in the Harlequins lineup. The victory was built on a dominant forward display, exceptional lineout execution, and Marela’s composed midfield control.
A superb team performance and a well‑earned trophy.
Next week, attention turns to the men, who begin their Illawarra District Rugby finals campaign with a major semi‑final against Shoalhaven at Campbelltown Showground, Saturday 3pm.
With one win apiece during the regular season and both matches decided by only a few points, this promises to be a classic.
Get down to the Showground and support your local club.
In other results, the Harlequins Under 18s finished fourth in the Southern Metropolitan competition and now face top‑placed Oatley in the semi‑final, just one win from a grand final berth.
Junior rugby also shone on the weekend. While the Under 14s and Under 12s fell just short, the Under 11s, Under 10s and Under 13s have all qualified for next week’s grand finals at Vikings Rugby Park in Wollongong.
A strong showing across the club and a great sign for the future.
