Round Five of Queensland Premier Rugby certainly didn’t disappoint and it looks like 2014 is in full swing and it’s game on for our nine teams.
Sunnybank finally produced the goods after a long drought this season, defeating competition heavyweights Souths 53-20 at Old Mac Oval. This has put points on the board for Sunnybank, who now sit just one point behind Wests on the ladder, in seventh place. Souths will return to the Nest next week and need to defeat Bond University to stay comfortably in the Top Four.
University is on fire this season after their 29-13 win over 2013 Premiers Easts. They remain in first place –a decent 7 points in front of Brothers.
After a narrow loss and two tight wins so far this season, GPS pulled a 50-17 victory over Norths. They now sit in third place on the ladder –two points in front of Souths and two points behind Brothers.
Last-placed Norths have had some tough opponents in the last few weeks and next week will prove to be a challenge as they take on rivals Brothers. Brothers were stunned by Wests yesterday and despite managing a 14-13 victory, they were trailing 13-0 at half time. Here’s the full report here:
Brothers have staged a stunning second half comeback to defeat Wests 14-13 and retain the Pilecki-Shaw Cup in Round Five of Queensland Premier Rugby.
The special ANZAC match began after the Last Post played to the large home crowd at the Brethren’s home ground.
Wests had the home side on edge from the opening minutes of the first half, with an early penalty slotted by Tim Smith giving an early 3-0 lead.
The defence of Wests proved to be an asset for them in the first half, with the Brethren unable to break through their solid tackling efforts. Wests’ defence, combined with some fumbles from Brothers, proved to be contributors in the Brethren’s scoreless first half.
“I give full credit to Wests on their defence in the first half. They were very physical and put us under a lot of pressure.” Brothers coach Anthony Mathison said.
Minutes after another successful penalty goal, Wests showed further dominance in the first half after a corner try to winger George Morseu which sealed the 13-0 half-time score.
The match turned out to be a true game of two halves, with Brothers ramping up the intensity in their attack to put 14 points in the visitors in 40 minutes.
A try to Brothers looked likely early in the second half but a penalty to Wests just before their line brought the ball back and the prospect of a comeback became more difficult to execute.
After enduring another ten minutes of Wests’ resilient defence, Brothers’ Luke Beauchamp scored a five-pointer which Sam Greene converted and brought the score to 13-7.
Minutes later, Sam Greene put more points on the board for the Brethren after a quick dash to the line to score a try between the posts. His conversion later proved to be the match-winner, with the final score being 14-13.
“The boys knew they were under the pump coming into the second half and they worked really hard to come back.
“It was great to get the win.” Mathison said.
Scorers
Sunnybank 53 (L Laloifi 3 tries R Tapuai P Lee B Vaaulu M Feaunati S Tasi tries M Third 2 cons pen H Taefu 3 cons) d Souths 20 (M Gordon 2 tries G O’Hare try L Everson pen M Gordon con)
Brothers 14 (L Beauchamp S Greene tries S Greene 2 cons) d Wests 13 (G Morseu try T Smith con 2 pens)
University of Queensland 29 (S Faagase J De Guingand R Setu M Arvier tries T Pincus 3 cons pen) d Easts 13 (M Brandon try con 2 pens)
GPS 50 (A Naiyabo M King 3 tries S Tela 2 tries J Herbert 5 cons) d Norths 17 (R Vatuinaruku 2 tries V Mataitini try F Tuua con)
