Hospital Cup Weekend Wrap – Round 4

Mon, May 16, 2022, 8:29 AM
Brendan Hertel
by Brendan Hertel

Round 4 of the Hospital Cup was marred by horrid weather, with three of our four games abandoned, set to be played on the competition bye weekend on 9 July. Two clubs held strong and made the call to play, with Wests hosting Bond University at SciFleet Stadium.

Wests 31 def Bond Uni 15

The Bulldogs secured their second win in as many weeks in Round 4 of the Hospital Cup, securing a 31-15 win over Bond University in the mud, claiming the Bunter Bowl in the process.

The home-side outscored Bond five-tries-to-two, with Fijian flyer Ben Navosailagi crossing for a double.

It was Bond who opened the scoring, with Bull Sharks captain Dan Boardman winning a one-on-one battle with Moses Sorovi to charge over in the corner just one minute into the match. While Hayden Sargeant missed the conversion, a penalty soon after gave the visitors an early 8-nil lead.

Wests worked their way into Bond’s half and answered back in the 18th minute through Connor Anderson, who was the benefactor of a driving maul try.

Fletcher Spicer was next to score for the Bulldogs, showing some soccer skills that might see him catch the eye of the Brisbane Roar. Chipping over the Bond defence down the left flank, Spicer then dribbled the ball over the try before diving on it to claim the five-pointer. The conversion from Cooper Whiteside put Wests ahead 12-8.

Spicer then had a hand in the Bulldogs’ third try, throwing a cut-out pass to an unmarked Navosailagi who dotted down in the corner for his first of the afternoon in the 35th minute.

The home-side weren’t finished for the first half, with a break from Brad Kelegai leading to Navolsailagi’s second try in almost the same fashion as the first. The Bulldogs headed into the sheds ahead 24-8.

Bond University struck first in the second half, with George Blake scoring off the back of a driving maul. Sargeant slotted the conversion narrowing the margin to 24-15 in the 49th minute,

The score would remain locked until the 71st minute. Wests secured the result with Reds winger Filipo Daugunu darting down a narrow line next to a scrum just metres from the Bond try-line, diving over for the Bulldogs’ fifth try. The Conversion from Whiteside sealed the 31-15 result.

CREDIT TO THE BOYS – There were players on both sides who stood up in the wet, for the victors, Brad Kelegai was impressive once again on the flank, while Fletcher Spicer was dangerous in the wider channels. Mason Gordon controlled the game and directed traffic with poise, while lock Angelo Smith was awarded the VPA Power Performer pack for Round 4.

For Bond, Nixon Taramai was immense with the ball-in-hand and in defence, while captain Dan Boardman was involved in everything as usual. Dan Lancaster, son of former England head coach Stu Lancaster, made his Premier Grade debut off the bench after a stint in reserve grade as well. He will be one to watch as the competition progresses.

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