Norths Eagles flexed their muscles against the improved University of Queensland side for a 43-31 win at St Lucia in the Sumo Energy Hospital Cup.
A Saturday double to flyhalf Harry Langbridge capped off a seven-try performance from the visitors as they made amends for last week's loss against Wests Bulldogs.
The significance of the win was huge, the difference between second and sixth on a tight ladder. The Eagles (36 points) now sit in second spot ahead of Easts (36), on points differential, premiers Bond University (34), rising Wests (34) and UQ (31). All are chasing leaders Brothers (47)
The Eagles outscored the Red Heavies 33-12 in the first half, which ultimately laid a huge platform for the victory.
Captain Joshua Mongard explained that it was important to start strongly after last week’s collapse in the second half.
“It was a great first half. We came out of the blocks strong after a poor second half last week and wanted to turn things around and show the quality of team we are,” Mongard said.
It was Mongard’s side that dominated territory early.
After sustained pressure in the first 10 minutes of the match, it was Langbridge who used his lethal right foot to step on the inside and put the ball down amid oncoming traffic.
One try for the visitors quickly turned into two.
Off set piece, a short-side scamper from fullback Will McCulloch engaged a staggered defensive line. This created space for halfback Mosiah Christian to pounce and dive over.
Both tries were converted by Christian to make it 14-0, as he went four-for-seven on the afternoon.
UQ answered with two tries of their own, set up by slick backline play.
The first of the two was highlighted by a right-hand flick pass by outside centre Reece Tapine as speedster Zander Esterhuizen raced away.
Flyhalf Tiarnan Neville delivered a cut-out pass into the wider channels, isolating the Eagles' defence as hands were clean and efficient to enable opposite winger Alex Miles to stroll over untouched.
Scores were tight at 14-12 until three tries to end the half from the visitors. It was a try in close to prop Harrison Swane that got the momentum started.
Winger Alex Flanagan Smith picked up the scraps to go nearly 80m to score the Eagles' fourth against the run of play, sucking the life out of the UQ side.
Lock Oliver Milne busted through the tiring UQ defence and delivered a flick pass of his own, which eventually led to a Ryan Heaton try.
Christian converted two-from-three from the tee in this period, leading to a halftime score of 33-12.
Norths scored first in the second half to make it extremely difficult for UQ.
After a rash exit kick, the Eagles were able to get the ball wide and find openside flanker Charlie Cooke, who showed off his speed to get on the outside and dive over.
The scoreboard read 38-12 with 30 minutes to go.
A try from halfback Flynn McDermott gave the home side a glimmer of hope when the deficit was cut to 38-17.
This was soon cancelled out with the pacy McCulloch slicing through the defence at midfield, providing an advantageous phase for Langbridge to get his second.
Late tries to talisman Will Robinson and Okaw Obonno added some respectability to the scoreboard.
When asked if there is anything they have emphasised heading into the back half of the season before finals, Mongard answered,
“Just our tightness as a team and connection, and when things go wrong, we can rely on that in the latter stages of the season,” Mongard said.
In other matches, Wests continued their resurgence. Flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips crossed for the opening try after six minutes as the Bulldogs scored nine in a 61-21 win over Sunnybank at Sci-Fleet Stadium.
Souths had their best win of the season at home with a 41-12 victory over Easts while GPS upset Bond University 35-31 for a delighted home crowd at Yoku Road.
