University of Queensland looking to continue series dominating form at home

Sydney, 15 September 2017 – The in-form University of Queensland side will look to cement their place on top of the Aon Uni 7s Series ladder when they run out at UQ Playing Fields this weekend.

Chasing the table toping side is fellow Queenslanders, Bond University followed by Griffith University. Sydney based, Macquarie University rounds out the top four, ten points behind the leaders.

The University of Queensland team will play host as they look to continue their winning form, victorious in the first two series in Launceston and Sydney. Bond University, who have had to settle for second place in the two legs of the series so far, will be looking to go one better this weekend in Brisbane and narrow the gap in the overall Aon Uni 7s Series Championship.

Only 10 points separate the top four Universities, with Bond University currently four points behind the University of Queensland on the Aon Uni 7s Series Ladder.

All sides will be eager to consolidate points this weekend, with the final round of the series on the Gold Coast looming.

Matches kick off at 9.20am (AEST) on Saturday 16 September with every match to be streamed LIVE through rugby.com.au and free entry at the ground.

Qantas Australian Women's Sevens Head Coach, Tim Walsh said: "The University of Queensland is in a really strong position heading into this round, having won the last two legs of the Series, with a home crowd cheering them on.

"The Series is still well and truly up for grabs and anything can happen in a Sevens tournament, so I'm looking forward to seeing the challengers really step up this weekend.

"All teams will be eager to be lifting the Aon Uni 7s Series trophy in its inaugural year, so I expect to see all teams really step up over the weekend."

Qantas Australian Sevens and University of Queensland player, Emilee Cherry said: "I'm really excited for the girls to be able to show off our skills this weekend, and the fact we are in front of our home crowd in Brisbane makes this a really special opportunity for us.

"We are really proud of our first two tournament wins, but we understand the high level of competition in this Series so it is vital we continue to improve our game this weekend on home turf."

Australian University Sport CEO Don Knapp said: "We're seeing incredible buy-in to the concept behind the Series – from the community attending in-person or watching the live streams, to the universities and most importantly, the student-athletes."

"The momentum generated by all eight university teams proves these student-athletes have the talent and determination to forge a pathway to represent Australia on the international rugby sevens stage."

For team lists click here.

For the day one draw click here.

2017 Aon Uni 7s Series Ladder:
1st: University of Queensland 40 points
2nd: Bond University 36 points
3rd: Griffith University 30 points
4th: Macquarie University 30 points
5th: University of New England 20 points
6th: University of Adelaide 20 points
7th: University of Canberra 20 points
8th: University of Tasmania 12 points

2017 Women's Aon Uni 7s Series dates:
Round 3 - University of Queensland fields, Brisbane, 16-17 September
Round 4 - Bond University fields, Gold Coast, 29-30 September

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