StoreLocal Hospital Cup Weekend Wrap – Round 16

Mon, Aug 15, 2022, 6:30 AM
Reds Media Unit
by Reds Media Unit

The race to the StoreLocal Hospital Cup finals grew even tighter in Round 16, with just four competition points now separating third and sixth position.

With a number of top four contenders facing off, let’s take a look at the all the results.

Easts 24 def Brothers 22

Easts kept their finals hopes alive with a dramatic win over Brothers at David Wilson Field on Saturday afternoon.

The Brethren raced to a 22-nil half-time lead courtesy of tries to Ryan Smith, Jonte Connoly, Jaiden Christian, with the Tigers’ season on the line in the final 40-minutes.

The hosts roared back to life through Jordan Carriera who finished off a long-range effort, before Rhys van Nek, Richie Asiata and JP Tominiko outmuscled the Brothers pack to claim a penalty try and make the scores to 22-12 in the 48th minute.

Tyrees Wilson had Easts’ third five-pointer in the 60th minute, bringing the scores to 22-17 and setting up a grandstand finish in front of a raucous Tigerland crowd.

It was the Easts set-piece which evened the scores, Richie Asiata forcing his way over the line off the back of a rolling-maul from close to the line in the final seconds of play.

With regular goalkicker Eli Pilz off the field, youngster Meli Dreu stepped up to the tee and made no mistake, icing the conversion to deliver his side a memorable two-point win.

University of Queensland 24 def Bond University 21

UQ defied a resurgent Bond outfit in Round 16, defeating the Bullsharks 24-21 to claim their fifth-straight win.

After Bond opened the scoring through Connor Pritchard, the reigning premiers went on to lead 17-7 with 10-minutes to play, TJ Siakisini and Josh Nasser crossing for tries.

With their finals hopes fading, Bond launched a four-minute, two-try blitz to reclaim the lead, Hamish Roberts and Dan Boardman finding the line to give the Bullsharks a 21-17 advantage.

The Gold Coasters looked to have secured the points against their inter-varsity rivals with time expired, but UQ kept pushing and eventually found the final try six minutes after the siren.

It was bench prop Reuben Leilua who crossed, breaking Bond hearts and putting the Heavies into second spot on the ladder.

Sunnybank 49 def Souths 19

Sunnybank claimed bragging rights in the battle of the Southside over the weekend, running out 49-19 winners on their home turf.

After conceding the first try of the afternoon, the Bankers ran in seven tries to the Magpies two in a dominant performance, with Rohan Saifoloi having a perfect afternoon off the tee, slotting seven conversions.

Fullback Tom Lucas scored a double in the win, while Ravuama Vuetanavanua, Pita Halaifonua, Puni Aupuni, Viliamu Apelu Fenunuti and Luke Everson also found the line.

The victory was the perfect send-off for Dragons head coach Sione Fukofuka, who is leaving the role due to his commitments with the Wallaroos.

GPS 33 def Norths 3

GPS continued their strong campaign with a comprehensive 33-3 win over Norths at Yoku Road in Round 16. 

A tight first-half saw the Gallopers up 7-3 at the break, before the floodgates opened in the final 10-minutes of the second stanza.

Jeeps ran in three quick tries to put the final margin out to 30-points, with the win cementing GPS’ spot in the top four.

Floyd Aubrey, Adre Namalo Kauyaca, Emosi Tuqiri, Chris Kuridrani and Maaloga Konelio all found the line in what was the home side’s 11th win of the season.

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