NELSON Bay Gropers women’s rugby team have been crowned Crescent Head Rugby Sevens champions for a fifth consecutive time.
In a perfect tune up for the 2026 Hunter Suburban Rugby Women’s series, the enterprising Gropers toppled Hamilton Hawks 17-10 in the tournament final to preserve their imposing Sevens record at the famous surf haven.
The Nelson Bay club assembled a talented squad of seasoned campaigners and rugby rookies for the annual Sevens event at Ian Walton Rugby Park at Crescent Head – with running rugby the order of the day.
Dynamic centre Jessica Gentle proved the architect with slick performances to finish the tournament’s leading try scorer.
An outstanding all round athlete, Gentle is a former Australian Schoolgirls soccer representative and Pierre De Coubertin Award recipient who also plays rugby league for the Canberra Raiders in the NRLW competition.
The former Coffs Harbour native was best on ground in the Sevens final along with classy playmaker Tash Harris and dashing fullback Emjay Walters.
Nelson Bay’s Sevens-winning squad also featured Sophie Simpson, Chloe Zdebski, Jessica Love, Jessica Beam, Emily Harmon, Emma Maher, Kristy Cooper, Kiara Shelton and Brieanne Napoli.
The team prepared well for the event with Nelson Bay Rugby Coaching Director Rhys Cutbush fine tuning the team’s fitness and structure.
With Rhys unable to attend on the day, former Groper Blake Simpson stepped up as coach and did an excellent job organising the squad.
Nelson Bay didn’t concede a point en route to the Grand Final – registering victories over Coffs Harbour SCU Marionettes (35-0), Cooks Hill Brown Snakes (26-0) and Wauchope Thunder (48-0) in a quarter final before advancing to the trophy decider with a 19-0 semi final triumph over rivals Coffs Harbour Snappers.
Tackling tyro Sophie Simpson – who starred with Walters for the Stockton Sharks women’s rugby league team last season – praised the efforts of the entire Gropers squad.
“While our backs proved unstoppable throughout the tournament the trophy win was made possible due to a tremendous defensive effort from the middle forwards,” a proud Simpson told News Of The Area.
Zdebski won the best forward roll award after leaning on a chair and breaking it and tumbling over after receiving a yellow card in the semi final.
Rugby League convert Emma Maher debuted in her first game of rugby and celebrated by scoring a try.
The Gropers women will now focus on their next challenge – the Port Macquarie Pirates Tens tournament on Saturday 14 March at Stuart Park, Port Macquarie.
Meanwhile the Nelson Bay Men’s squad are training Tuesday and Thursday nights at Bill Strong Oval in preparation for their upcoming home trial match against Manly Savers.
Thursday night training also includes the Under 18s squad which is an essential element of the Pathways transition from junior to senior rugby and continues the trend from previous seasons.
By Chris KARAS
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