A clinical University of Queensland side has secured the 2021 Allsports Physiotherapy Hospital Challenge Cup premiership with a 29-14 victory over GPS at Suncorp Stadium.
The Heavies dominated from the start in wet conditions, jumping out to a 21-nil lead at half-time, before eventually securing a 15-point win.
Kye Oates, James Hanson and Sam Wallis crossed for tries, with Oates also kicking four penalty goals, while Wallis was named Tony Shaw medallist as man of the match as UQ won their third title in the past five seasons.
Uni head coach Mick Heenan said: “We’ve been pretty consistent throughout the year, but to get it done when it counts is a special feeling.
“The conditions suited a front runner, so once we were in front and the rain started coming down that was going to make it tough for Jeeps to come back.
“We know Jeeps are good if they get a good start, so for us we needed to start well, build a score and that’s what happened.
“It was very special for us today playing at Suncorp Stadium, what an experience for the guys.”
Newly crowned Alec Evans medallist Kye Oates had UQ out to an 11-nil lead by the 20th minute of play, the winger kicking a pair of penalty goals and streaking down the left sideline to score the first try of the match.
Veteran hooker James Hanson had Uni’s next on the back of a powerful rolling maul, before another Oates penalty put the score out to 21-nil by the half-time break.
Oates had his fourth penalty goal early in the second forty, as the Heavies continued to dominate at a wet Suncorp Stadium. Sam Wallis had a third for the Students in the 63rd minute, the Reds backrower picking and going from the back of a scrum and willing himself through the defence and across the line to score.
Oates add his second conversion of the day to stretch the Uni to 29-nil. Matt Gicquel and Josh Collins both crossed in the final minutes to get Jeeps on the board, but it was solely as consolation as UQ claimed the title with a 29-14 victory.
The match also saw former Wallabies captain Stephen Moore claim his first Hospital Challenge Cup at the age of 38, coming out of retirement to provide depth to the Red Heavies frontrow stocks.
University of Queensland 29
Tries: Kye Oates, James Hanson, Sam Wallis
Conversions: Oates 2
Penalties: Oates 4
GPS 12
Tries: Matt Gicquel, Josh Collins
Conversions: Hofmeyr 1
Premier Women’s
The first game of the morning saw Easts claim back-to-back Premier Women’s titles with a 28-10 win over GPS.
The Tigers got out to a 21-nil lead by the half-time break courtesy of tries to Cecilia Smith, Taulaga Malatai and Cobie-Jane Morgan, before a second-half comeback saw the Gallopers back within two converted tries at Suncorp Stadium.
An April Ngatupuna five-pointer eventually sealed the win for the Tigers, with Destiny Brill named player of the match in an assured showing at scrum half.
Easts 28
Tries: Cecilia Smith, Taulaga Malatai, Cobie-Jane Morgan, April Ngatupuna
Conversions: Morgan 4
GPS 14
Tries: Emilya Byrne, Siane Lavea
Colts 1
GPS came from behind to defeat Easts in the Colts 1 decider, the Gallopers securing a 29-17 win over the Tigers. After Jeeps opened the scoring, the Tigers hit back to lead 14-8 at the half-time break, before a second-half flurry saw Jeeps snatch victory.
It was Floyd Aubrey who sparked the comeback, the fullback collecting the crumbs of a loose pass and streaking 60-metres to score. Flyhalf Sebastian Ward scored another, before Francis Pona hit back for the Tigers, but another GPS try to Tom Valentine sealed a 34-24 win for the Gallopers.
