Sunnybank v University of Queensland
The Game of the Round saw University of Queensland secure their 15th win in a row with a 40-27 victory over Sunnybank in Round 17 of BLK Queensland Premier Rugby.
The Dragons were first to score at Oldmac Oval with Jake Strachan slotting a penalty goal after University’s scrum failed to withhold a Sunnybank shove.
The Red Heavies opened their account soon after, showing great patience close to Sunnybank’s line before Campbell Wakely ultimately scored.
University extended their lead with a Nathan Russell cut-out pass finding Josh Birch, who sliced through the Dragons defence untouched.
Despite only trailing by 11 points at the break, Sunnybank were forced to make nearly twice as many tackles in the first-half.
They showed no signs of fatigue early in the second stanza, a Jake Strachan kick left University isolated in their own 22 and Strachan pounced on the ball at the back of the ruck to reduce the deficit to six points.
University responded almost immediately through Leilua, who’s size and strength proved too much close to the Dragon’s line.
The match began to seesaw as Sunnybank’s Foutuaika scored, before University’s patience prevailed again, as Tom Pincus crossed the chalk, securing the bonus-point for the Heavies.
Jeffrey Faamausili continued Sunnybank’s fight, crossing for his first try of the afternoon, but UQ lock Phil Potgieter returned serve with a try beside the uprights.
Sunnybank crossed with three minutes remaining, keeping the match alive right up to the final whistle, but University sealed the win when Tom Pincus crossed for his second try of the afternoon.
University of Queensland 40 (T Pincus 2 tries C Wakely P Potgeiter J Birch R Leilua tries T Pincus 5 cons) d Sunnybank 27 (J Faamausili 2 tries F Fotuaika J Strachan tries J Strachan pen 2 cons)
Souths v Easts
Easts registered their third victory in a row with a nail-biting 40-38 upset win over Souths at Chipsy Wood Oval on Saturday.
Souths were first to score, with number eight Isireli Naisarani crossing for his first try before half-back Scott Malolua extended the home side’s lead moments later with a try of his own.
Easts responded through St.George Queensland Reds flanker Michael Gunn, who dotted down beside the uprights, before Max Allen added another for the visitors, crashing over from close-range.
Naisarani crossed for his double and Souths secured the four-try bonus-point moments later with Paul Brown scoring out wide.
Right on the cusp of half-time, Easts winger Simon Bartley scored in the corner, reducing Souths’ lead to 12-points as the teams headed into the sheds.
After the break, Easts were parked deep inside Souths 22 for an extended period of time before they eventually found the line with a driving maul off the back of a line-out.
The Tigers hit the front for the first-time in the match when Toby White crossed for his first try of the afternoon, taking the score to 33-31.
With minutes remaining, Souths looked to have stolen a last minute victory when Ralph Evalu finished off a length of the field try to put the Magpies ahead by five.
But Easts recovered the restart before White stepped off his right foot and found a hole in Souths defence to reclaim the lead and secure a nail-biting victory for the Tigers.
Easts 40 (T White 2 tries T Barker M Allen M Gunn T Bartley tries M Brandon 5 cons) d Souths 38 (I Nasarani 2 tries S Malolua P Brown R Evalu tries S Malolua pen 5 cons)
Wests v Brothers
Second-placed Brothers ran away with a convincing 48-14 victory over Wests, at Kenmore, on Saturday.
The Bulldogs were first to score with captain Tyrone Lefau dancing through Brothers’ defence for the first try of the match.
Brethren full back Patrick James responded with some great footwork of his own, after a Wests’ clearance kick failed to find the touch-line.
James was in again moments later, benefitting from some good lead-up work from his inside backs, before Wests hit back with a try out wide to Siaosi Lealifano.
Mitch Felsman put the visitors back in front with a successful penalty goal from right in front.
The speedy winger added further contribution, showing great speed down the touch line to set up a try for scrumhalf Angus Fowler.
In the last play of the first-half, Elih Baillie made up for a yellow-card received earlier in the match, fending his way through Wests’ defence, taking the score to 27-14 at half-time.
In his first appearance for Brothers Premier side in 2016, Niko Bueta opened the Brethren’s second half account, stepping his way through Wests’ defence.
Flanker Criff Tupou crossed for a try from close range before replacement Luke Williams put the nail-in-the-coffin with a try in the dying stages.
Brothers 48 (P James 2 tries C Tupou A Fowler E Baille N Beuta L Williams tries M Felsman pen 5 cons d Wests 14 (T Lefau S Lealiifano tries B Hutchinson 2 cons)
GPS v Norths
Wearing Superhero Jerseys in their final home game of the year, GPS secured a 31-21 victory over Norths, in a must-win clash at Yoku Road.
Tight-head prop Fred Burke scored the Gallopers first try, crashing over for one his two for the afternoon.
GPS’ lead was short lived as Norths number eight Apisai Naiyabo cut the Gallopers defence to shreds before some neat soccer skills by Veresa Mataitini saw the full back extend the visitor’s lead.
A yellow card to Norths provided GPS with a personnel advantage and the Gallopers capitalised with a try right on half-time.
In the second-half, an error from GPS proved costly as the Eagles crossed for the first try of the second stanza.
With 10 minutes remaining Lagi Setu delivered the all-important bonus-point for GPS, crossing for the Galloper’s fourth try, before flanker Michael Richards sealed the victory with a try right before the final whistle, keeping GPS final’s hopes alive with one round remaining.
GPS 31 (F Burke 2 tries M Richards L Setu S Hunt tries D Nethery 3 cons) d Norths 21 (A Naiyabo M Burke V Mataitini tries M Burke 2 cons C Chittenden con)
