The beef and egg burgers were back on the grill at Box Hill as the Dewar Shield got underway for 2013 season. Jordy Reid turned out for Quins while Alex Rokabaro was a late withdrawal. Box Hill, tough to beat at home, were led by Adam Lewis on a day made for running rugby.
Both sides looked to throw the ball wide early on with last ditch defence and a number of pushed passes conspiring to keep the sheet clean for the opening quarter of an hour. The teams traded penalty goals soon after before the home side scored the first try of the game on the half hour mark, a dart down the blind side and support from fly half Michael Thomson giving Box Hill an 8-3 lead.
The game was blown wide open with just minutes left in the first half on the back of some hard ball running from Quins centre Majorkah Schuster, with a pair of converted tries to the visitors in the dying minutes of the half. Quins went to the break up 17-8
The visitors came out strong in the second forty minutes with better ball control and composure. Playing through the centre channels paid dividends time and again for the away side, and combined with the dynamic running by fullback Justin Marsters they were simply too good for Box Hill. A rampant Quins side ran in five second half tries to win 48-8.
In the 2012 grand final replay, Melbourne avenged their defeat at the hands of the Morabbin Rams, running out 34-22 winners. While it will be difficult for the Unicorns to repeat their 100 per cent regular season winning record, they start the season as favourites for the title.
Rebels EPS player and star of the future Bryce Hegarty led PowerHouse in a 56-5 demolition of Endeavour Hills while Southern Districts and Melbourne Uni kissed their sisters at Frankston in a 24 all draw.
Next week sees Footscray travelling to Harlequins in the match of the round while Melbourne entertain Box Hill. Melbourne Uni host Morabbin and Endeavour Hills face off against Southern Districts as both sides look to get their 2013 campaign going with a win.
