If Round Three of the Queensland Premier Rugby 2014 season is anything to go by, this year should be a cracker.
Let’s start with Bond University. They had two sizeable losses in as many weeks but their tightly-contested 40-32 win over Sunnybank has given them attention in the competition and they now sit pretty in seventh place.
2013 Premiers, Easts, bounced back after last week’s loss to Souths and defeated Wests 32-31. The Tigers are now in sixth place and despite the loss, Wests gained a bonus point and are in fourth place just ahead of GPS.
Uni are still enjoying their top spot after yesterday’s highly-convincing 64-22 topple of Norths.
Souths came back from a 25-8 half time deficit against GPS to win 30-28 at Chipsy Wood Oval. The Magpies are proving to be the standout performers this season after dropping away a bit towards the end of 2013. They’re looking for redemption this year and they’re certainly finding it so far.
Bring on Round Four!
Souths v GPS
By Warhorse
What a great come from behind win for the Index Souths Magpies yesterday at Chipsy Wood. Trailing 25-8 at half time the Magpies had confidence turning with the reliable Yeronga Park breeze behind them for the second half.
Captain and No. 8 James Turner put in an absolute non-stop effort leading from the front and for the second week in a row, prop David Feao was almost unstoppable. There was no better example of the forwards commitment than the push-over scrum try late in the half, which absolutely destroyed the GPS pack. The Souths forwards showed their confidence by opting for the scrum rather than a kickable penalty and it resulted in 7 points rather than 3.
Andy Muirhead at fullback must be one of the most elusive broken play runners of the ball in the Premier competition and deserves more recognition. His support play running off Davey Feao for his try was fantastic.
Souths had two yellow cards during the match so it is even greater testament to their confidence and grit.
Trailing by 1 point and the ref. having called final play, the forwards took control of proceedings and “picked and drove” for quite a number of plays, showing great control at the breakdown, with the hope of drawing a penalty, which fortunately came their way.
There was absolute silence as Georgio Philips put the kick right between the posts.
It will be interesting to see if there is any action taken over an unsavoury incident early in the second half, where just about everyone at the ground (except the match officials) saw an incident of blatant foul play which went unpunished (not even a word spoken to any GPS player). We’ll have to wait and see.
The Filth are next and like the games against the Tigers and GPS, they are going to be very hard opponents. It would certainly be great to go into the Easter Break undefeated and having beaten three of the 2013 semi-finalists. Here’s hoping.
Wests v Easts
By Bulldog Bob
Reigning premiers Easts travelled to Sylvan Rd on the weekend desperate jump start the campaign against a Wests team that seems to be having a renaissance of late. The game started hot and heavy with both teams taking trips into the opposition half, before the dogs managed get the upper hand when their bookend Jonathan Danaher burrowed over. However Easts are premiers for a reason and hit back quickly to level things up.
The first half progressed in such a fashion as both teams went blow for blow, tit for tat, point for point; in a game of wonderful attacking rugby. The tigers opened up the dogs a few times and could of put the game to bed early. However the Doggies had their tails up and smothered most of Easts attacking raids, taking a 19 -15 lead into the half.
The second half began much like the first ended with both teams posting some stellar passages of play, to match the excellent desperation in defence. As the scoreboard ticked over you could feel that the end was nigh, like two heavy weights who have gone the 12 rounds it was only a matter of time before one hit the canvas and didn’t get up. Easts had managed to pull slightly ahead through a classic scrumhalf try through skipper Jack Mullins.
Wests felt they where still in it until the tigers rang the death knell when inside centre EJ Fao’ofa crossed over. The excitement wasn’t over however as with the last play of the game the Wests 15 Byron Hutchinson crossed over to ensure the dogs came away with at least 2 points. Easts coming away with the victory in 32-31 thriller, in a match that did nothing but showcase wonderful attacking rugby. Easts exuded the grit that makes them champions while Wests displayed the ability that has seen them rise from wooden spoon favourites to perhaps unquantified contenders?
Premier Rugby Match Video – Available for On-Demand Download
This year and for the first time, all Premier, Premier Reserve and Premier Colts matches for the season are available for purchase and instant download in high definition.
Matches are usually available by 8pm on Saturdays, and 25% from all sales are being donated straight back to your nominated club. To download, go to the DoubleTake Productions website (click here).
