GPS Rugby 2019: Nudgee College edge arch-rivals Gregory Terrace

GPS Rugby’s greatest rivalry added another thrilling chapter to it’s story as a fast finishing Gregory Terrace side took the fight to Nudgee Terrace in front of thousands.

Nudgee College player Lastus Auakai braces for impact by Gregory Terrace’s Fergus Nasser. Picture: AAP image/John Gass

Nudgee College have reigned supreme in the Battle of the Colours, seeing off arch-rivals Gregory Terrace 38-31 at Ross Oval.

Nudgee’s dominance at their home ground had been unchallenged in the annual grudge match since 1981 and 2019 proved no different in a high scoring and entertaining affair.

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Underdogs Gregory Terrace scrapped to disrupt their fancied opposition throughout the match, trading tries in front of thousands of spectators.

Nudgee College captain Harrison Vella break through the banner. Saturday August 3, 2018. Picture: AAP image/John Gass

When Nudgee flanker Mitch Lowrie was shown a yellow card for a late tackle with 20 minutes to play Terrace were presented a fine opportunity to claw back a 12 point deficit.

Sloppy execution saw the ball dropped in backplay for Nudgee winger Daniel Muller to kick ahead and score a matchwinning try.

Terrace fought to score two excellent tries in consolation through centre Glen Vaihu and winger Ben Hearne to reach a final score of 38-31.

Coach Andrew Scotney said the emotional energy of ‘Terrace day’ had been challenging to handle and manifested in a sloppy performance.

Nudgee captain Harry Vella (right of centre) celebrates a try. Saturday August 3, 2018. Picture: AAP image/John Gass

“Terrace day is brilliant for the boys because they get a big crowd, but they spend a lot of emotional energy before the game and I think that could be seen,” he said.

“It was a scrappy game and we just tried to force too much.

“I would have liked a bit more structure to our game but we took advantage of those opportunities.”

“That wasn’t the plan but we’ve got some guys on our wings who can create in unstructured play.

Muller scored a double for Nudgee while back-three partners Trezman Banjo and Athen Waia added one each.

Terrace prop Ezekiel Amituanai drives through the tackle of Nudgee’s Lastus Auakai. Picture: AAP image/John Gass

Terrace opened scoring in the 10th minute when quick hands along the backline found an unmarked Ben Hearne on the right wing.

Nudgee fullback Athen Waia hit back from a 5m scrum before Terrace were in again, flyhalf Pat Elekana carrying a Glen Vaihu offload over the line.

Nudgee scored the game’s next three tries in quick succession, to Harry Vella and Finn Hearn before the half and Daniel Muller in the first minute after it.

Terrace stopped the rot with a runaway try to Vaihu that left two defenders beaten to cut the lead to 24-19 in the 41st minute.

Nudgee College winger Trezman Banjo scored an incredible try against Gregory Terrace. Picture: AAP image/John Gass

Eight minutes later, Trezman Banjo produced a magical effort of his own, dummying away the defence to touch down for a scintillating score.

Daniel Muller’s soccer style matchwinner, dribbling the ball ahead multiple times off the boot before collecting and scoring, produced an unmatchable margin of 19 points with 12 minutes to play.

Terrace threw caution to the wind and launched an all-out attack that closed the margin to 7 as the referee blew full-time.