The University of Queensland has won the opening round of the history-making Aon Uni 7s Series, scoring victory in all five of its games at the University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston.

UQ beat Bond University 15-5 in an all-Queensland gold medal match to secure a maximum 20 points from the first leg of the four-round competition.

Team UQ qualified for the decider on the back of Pool B wins over University of Canberra (22-7), University of New England (20-5) and Bond (15-5).

UQ captain Mackenzie Sadler then scored two tries her side’s 31-0 demolition of Macquarie University in the semi-finals, before crossing for a try – her fifth of the tournament – in the final against Bond.

Sadler said the squad was delighted with the result.

“The girls have worked so hard to be here – to come away with a win as well, it’s indescribable,” Ms Sadler said.

“It was such a tight game. We have had trial games against Bond and Griffith before, so we knew they were going to be some tough games.”

UQ coach Reg Tayler said all of UQ’s players contributed to the result.

“It was a tough tournament with some really good teams out there, and we just kept building,” Mr Tayler said.

“Our goal was one step at a time, one seven minutes at a time all the way through, so I couldn’t have been prouder of the girls.”

In the other results, Macquarie University claimed the bronze medal with a hard-fought win over Griffith University 17-7.

University of New England took out fifth place, with the University of Canberra claiming sixth position.

In the battle to avoid the wooden spoon, the University of Adelaide took out seventh place, leaving hosts University of Tasmania in eighth position.

Australian University Sport CEO Don Knapp said the series was off to a resounding start.

“The calibre of rugby and sportsmanship conducted these past two days confirms there is significant appetite for national league university competitions” Mr Knapp said.

“All eight participating universities fielded exceptional talent after months of training and preparation – I commend all teams on contributing to this historical, first national Aon Women’s University Sevens Series.”

The teams will travel to Sydney for round two of the Uni 7s Series, to be hosted by Macquarie University on 9-10 September.

2017 Aon Uni 7s Series Ladder, Round 1:
1^st – The University of Queensland (20 points)
2^nd – Bond University (18 points)
3^rd  – Macquarie University (16 points)
4^th – Griffith University (14 points)
5^th – University of New England (12 points)
6^th – University of Canberra (10 points)
7^th – University of Adelaide (8 points)
8^th – University of Tasmania (6 points)

2017 Aon Uni 7s Series Fixtures:
Round 2 – Macquarie University, Sydney, 9-10 September
Round 3 – The University of Queensland, UQ Sport Athletics Centre, 16-17 September
Round 4 – Bond University, Gold Coast, 29-30 September

Media: Patrick Foulkes, Australian Rugby Union, Patrick.foulkes@rugby.com.au, 0411 794 330; Jamie Mitchell, UQ Sport, JamieM@uqsport.com.au, 0423 785 752.