The University of Queensland have qualified for their seventh straight StoreLocal Hospital Cup Grand Final after overcoming Brothers 36-22 in this afternoon’s preliminary final.
The reigning premiers scored six tries to three in a comprehensive display on the Gold Coast, Kalani Thomas and Jock Campbell showing their class as the Heavies backed up from last week’s marathon effort against Wests.
The win sets up a rematch in the decider with the Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday 18 September.
Tayler Adams opened the scoring early on with a penalty, the fullback taking over the kicking duties after James O’Connor left the field with a suspected syndesmosis injury. Scans will determine the full extent of the injury.
UQ defied a mountain of Brothers possession and field possession to score the first try of the afternoon, Mac Grealy crossing courtesy of a Campbell long ball in the 27th minute.
Adams was yellow-carded for cynical play in the phases before Grealy’s five-pointer, reducing the Brethren to 14-men.
Uni took full advantage, Campbell slicing through the defence and racing 20-metres to score his side’s second try. Nick Jooste converted to give the Students a 12-3 lead at the break.
It was the perfect start to the second stanza for Brothers, after Lawson Creighton broke the line and linked with a flying Ashton Watson who raced away for Brothers’ first try. Adams made no mistake with the conversion to cut the deficit to 12-10.
Thomas lofted an inch-perfect cut-out pass to send Brad Twidale over out wide for UQ’s next try, Kye Oates converting to put the score out to 19-10 with 25-minutes to play.
The Students continued to pepper the Brothers line and the pressure eventually proved too much, Isaac Aedo Kailea barging his way over to score. Oates added the extras to stretch Uni’s advantage to 26-10.
A stunning Thomas solo effort gave Uni their next try, the young scrumhalf sneaking through the defence before racing 40-metres to score.
Cam Flavell finished a slick series of passes to score his fifth five-pointer of the finals soon after, the hooker’s try putting the result beyond doubt at 36-10 with eight-minutes to play.
Harry Wilson and Hamish Stewart crossed for a pair of late consolation tries for Brothers, the final score finishing 36-22.
UQ will take on Wests in the Hospital Cup Grand Final at Suncorp Stadium next Sunday 18 September. Tickets available via https://bit.ly/3daV6zL.
