A more cohesive forward pack and an enterprising running game kept GPS' slim finals hopes alive in a 31-20 bonus point victory over semi-final certainties Gold Coast in Round 21 of Queensland Premier Rugby.
With GPS captain Steve Miller leading the way, the Gallopers' backrow took the honours over their highly rated opposition trio while the Breakers' expected scrum dominance failed to eventuate, with GPS tighthead prop Gavin Warren gaining a points decision over QR Reds loosehead Ben Daley in the scrum and in the loose.
The Gallopers' jack in the box scrumhalf Tom Sully was even more elusive than usual with his up tempo game posing problems for the Breakers around the rucks, while back Sam Satui also played strongly.
The GPS forward pack showed better combination, commitment and teamwork at the breakdown than the Breakers' eight, who let themselves down too often with poor handling and one-off runs.
Gold Coast centre Rex Tapuai proved a handful for the GPS mid-field defence but with GPS on the front foot for most of the second half he had too few opportunities to attack.
GPS scored five tries to three and could have made it six had not Peter Stevenson not lost the ball over the line in the first five minutes. He made up for the lapse by scoring the visitors' first try at the 18 minute mark when the Gold Coast had taken first blood.
The win keeps GPS in the semi final hunt but they must beat competition leaders Brothers next week and hope that Easts stumbles against Norths if they're to leapfrog the Tigers into fourth spot.
GPS 31 (G Ingram, S Miller, B Roberts, S Satui, P Stevenson tries, D Slade 3 cons) bt Rugby Gold Coast 20 (M Francis, J Sykes, M MacDonald tries, V Tomu-Buataua 1 pen 1 con)
