St. Joseph’s Nudgee College flyhalf Reejan Passitoa has delivered his side a narrow 32-31 win over St. Joseph’s Gregory Terrace in Round 1 of the 2017 GPS First XV season, slotting a late conversion after the siren to edge Nudgee ahead.
The age old ‘Nudgee v Terrace’ rivalry acted as a perfect opener for the 2017 season, with the hard-fought clash attracting a sizeable crowd to Nudgee’s Jack Ross Oval.
The home side threatened the line early in the game, testing Terrace’s fringe defence which created an opportunity for lock Ethan Bullemor to crash over for Nudgee’s first try.
However, momentum swung in the visitors’ favour soon after, with Terrace awarded a penalty try as a result of yellow-card offence from Nudgee winger Ryan Shepherd.
A second yellow-card reduced the home side to 13 men but they managed to claw back the lead with lock Bailey Tautau crashing over the line for Nudgee’s second try through a pick-and-drive effort.
Nudgee were awarded a penalty in the 20th minute which Pasitoa slotted to further extend the home side’s lead to 18-7.
Terrace scrumhalf Will Kirk slotted a penalty just before half time to leave the score at 18-10 as the two sides headed into the sheds.
Shortly after Nudgee returned to a full 15-men outfit, Pasitoa was yellow carded again reducing the home side to 14.
Terrrace made the most of their one-man advantage, with both props Levi White and Malvin Mayeaga, as well as winger Tyrone Metusela-Suapaia, crossing for tries to put Terrace ahead 31-18.
As full time approached, Nudgee were rewarded for their patience in Terrace’s red-zone, with flanker Cayle Manu probing through the defensive line to reduce the deficit to 31-25 with five-minutes left on the clock.
In the 69th minute, a pilfer from Nudgee player Hayden Moseley gave the home-side one last attacking opportunity.
Nudgee held onto possession and worked their way up the field before spreading the ball wide to winger Jangala Bennett, who beat three defenders before offloading to Ryan Shepherd who crossed the line, leaving the score at 31-30 with a conversion attempt to follow.
In the act of charging down the first conversion Terrace were ruled to have illegally shouted at Pasitoa and the flyhalf was gifted a second shot at goal.
Referee Rohan Hoffmann prevented Terrace from a second charge down attempt and Pasitoa made no mistake with his second kick, edging Nudgee ahead by one-point, 32-31.
This weekend St Joseph, Nudgee College will travel to Northgate to take on Brisbane Grammar School whilst St Joseph, Gregory Terrace play host to Brisbane State High School.
Round 1 Results
St Joseph, Nudgee College 32-31 St Joseph, Gregory Terrace
Brisbane Boys College 33-17 Ipswich Grammar School
The Southport School 53-29 Brisbane State High
Toowoomba Grammar School 26-12 Brisbane Grammar School
Anglican Church Grammar School Bye
