StoreLocal Hospital Cup round 2: Norths defeat University in stunning fashion to complete titanic 12-month transformation

The Norths Eagles scaled to heights not seen in more than 30 years when trumping traditional powerhouses University in the most remarkable fashion imaginable at Hugh Courtney Oval on Saturday.

The Norths Eagles soared to giddy heights in round 2 of the StoreLocal Hospital Cup competition. Flyhalf Harry Langbridge (pictured) and his Eagles defeated traditional heavyweights University. Picture credit: Erick Lucero/ QRU media.

A Brisbane rugby club lampooned as the losing-est footy outfit in Australia has produced a stunning 71-19 victory that might just be the biggest moment in more than 40 years for the Norths Eagles.

The Eagles soared on Saturday when trumping traditional powerhouse University of Queensland in the most remarkable fashion imaginable in front of their fans at Hugh Courtney Oval.

Rarely since Teachers-Norths last made a grand final in 1981 have supporters rocked the clubhouse to its foundations. Norths won by 52 points to ignite wild celebrations into the night.

“We got sick of people laughing at the club,” said Norths coach Dan Ritchie.

“I had this desire to restore credibility and pride in the place.”

Ritchie was referencing a crop of passionate, plucky and talented players. The majority came through a Colts pathway Ritchie envisioned when embarking on a rebuild mission as Colts 1 head coach in 2021.

It was a thumping result no one saw coming - except those within the walls of the Eagles.

“I got the sense it was building and the boys went to another level yesterday,” Ritchie said.

“It’ll be something that we can look at on a later date and go ‘f**k that was pretty cool’.”

After a 37-10 false start in the wet against Easts in the opening round of the StoreLocal Hospital Cup, Norths bounced back brilliantly on their way to scoring 11 tries against a benchmark club which has won six premierships since 2010.

“It (losing in round 1) was disappointing on a number of fronts,” Ritchie concluded.

“I said to the boys, ‘seven days is a long time in rugby, did we really believe that was a reflection of us as a team’.

“They didn’t think so.”

Connor O'Regan. StoreLocal Hospital Cup round 1 action between Easts and Norths. Picture courtesy of Brendan Hertel.

For decades Norths’ first grade teams have been perennial cellar dwellers and owners of more wooden spoons than a MasterChef kitchen.

That dark past means little to this current crop of giantkillers who now aspire to play in the finals later this year.

In Saturday’s 52-point win, a whopping 14 of the matchday 23 were Colts products. They included: Oliver Harris, Sosifa Funaki, Yvahn Allsworth, Jack Small, Leo Langbridge, Connor O’Regan, Harry Langbridge, Ryan Heaton, Alex Flanagan Smith, Jacob Prideaux, Mackenzie Fox, Callum Reidy, Nicholas Weir and Daniel Healy.

“A program is only as strong as what’s coming through,” Ritchie said.

Since becoming the Norths Eagles in the late 1980s, the Shaw Road club at Wavell Heights has been in the doldrums and enjoyed no sustained success.

The fruits of Ritchie’s labour, and his accomplices, were glimpsed on countless occasions in Saturday’s historic result.

“When I started, there were some days where I sat there and just went what have I got myself into?” Ritchie said.

Midfielder Ryan Heaton (pictured) has made a fine start to his first grade career after playing Colts 1 in 2024. Picture, John Gass

“I would drive to Toowoomba a couple of times a week to meet players. I would make phone calls at ridiculous hours. Often it would be a dead end.

“My desire was to build a really strong colts program, make it sustainable, pass it on to someone and then take a group through.”

Padua College old boy and fullback Alex Flanagan Smith, who bagged a hat-trick of tries within the first 20 minutes on his way to scoring 33 points, was a show-stopper in a Padua-sponsored jersey.

Alex Flanagan Smith, pictured playing AIC First XV rugby for Padua back in 2021, was at his best on Saturday.

“That’s so special. As a coach, when you reflect on that, it’s extremely rewarding,” Ritchie smiled.

Off the bench, Nick Weir made his Hospital Cup debut after Ritchie first worked with him as a Colt in 2021.

“He’s a player that probably doesn’t get a lot of accolades or anything like that. But he’s a hard worker, he’s popular in the group and he just epitomises what the program is about,” Ritchie said.

Fellow colts products Jack Small, who scored twice, and Harris, who “scrummed the house down”, were others who Ritchie mentored “when we started this journey in the colts”.

Former Waratahs winger and Norths new recruit Taqele Naiyaravoro impressed in his first home game. Picture: Toby Zerna

Adding to the excitement was a colosseum-esque atmosphere surrounding the main oval which was under water just weeks ago because of Cyclone Alfred.

All other home games were played on the top ovals, before players and supporters swarmed Hugh Courtney Oval where they watched on as the Eagles completed a dramatic 12-month turnaround.

In round 2 last season, University won 28-10. On a muddy surface one year on, Norths were responsible for some brutal collisions on their way to a “hugely satisfying” win.

It wasn’t a slip up. it wasn’t an ambush. It wasn’t an accident. Norths had run riot in challenging conditions.

“To score 70 points in the dry is hard enough, let alone in a few centimetres of mud,” Ritchie said.

“So there was an enormous sense of pride in how we won, rather than the number of points we scored.”

Norths play Souths away next weekend before hosting back-to-back reigning premiers Brothers.

“Obviously we’ve got a long way to go this year. While we want to celebrate it, we don’t want to rest on our laurels at all.

“That was really special.”

Originally published as StoreLocal Hospital Cup round 2: Norths defeat University in stunning fashion to complete titanic 12-month transformation