Club rugby Colts 1; Premier women's wrap
Club rugby: Who shone brightest to make our latest Colts 1 Team of the Week, as Eagles and Magpies soar and GPS deliver two giant killing efforts in women’s and colts.
West
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GPS Colts brought up win No. 1 of the season as another enthralling round of club rugby panned out.
Putting together their best performance of the year thus far, GPS were able to snag a 18-14 victory over last year’s co-premiers Easts at Yoku road.
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In Colts results, GPS caused a boilover to beat Easts 18-14, Brothers defeated University 26-12, Norths had a win over Sunnybank 39-7 and Souths improvement continued at pace with a 27-nil win over Wests.
And in women's action, UQ made it four on the trot with a 50-0 win over Brothers, GPS clinched a 12-7 win over Easts, Sunnybank defeated Norths 28-0 and Souths showed up in a 19-7 victory against Wests.
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GPS head coach Sio Kite said it was his team’s composure in defence that allowed them to secure the result.
Speedy winger Zachia Maseinawa and hooker Michael Toohey were the tryscorers in the feel-good four-point victory.
Exciting forward prospect Stuart Tualima shone at No, 8, while Marist College Old Boys Tasman Barry, No. 12, and Nick Harper, No. 3, bruised the defensive line.
Blake Davis crossed for Easts with a nice try from fullback but in the end, two penalty goals by Jesse O’Neill and Pat Tierney separated the two teams who both scored two tries apiece.
Easts were spearheaded by flanker Alex Kerr and lock Tom Twadell who held their end of the bargain in the forward battle.
Meanwhile, Brothers were blitzing their way to a 26-12 win over University of Queenslandat Crosby Park.
Kadin Prichard showed class at outside centre while Oliver Harvey was dominant around the edges and prop Rory Beech stood up in the tight stuff.
“Oliver was dominant on the edges and led the physical battle today,’’ said Brothers coach Greg Beaver.’’
But Beaver was mightily impressed with Pritchard who made some “great breaks’’ while dominating in defence.
The Red Heavies were without their 19-year-old scrumhalf Finn Manca, who was making his First Grade debut so high praise to the Sunshine Coast product.
University head coach Matt Ingram said “We played well considering three yellow cards.
“ We were off to a shaky start losing a player in the first five minutes which did not help.
“But we managed to build pressure in the last 20 minutes of the first half and converted it into points.
“In the second half it was a grind, especially losing our playmaker.
“Playing with 14 men for 30 minutes did not help out structure which let us down in the end.
“But the effort was there and we look forward to playing Brothers in a couple of months after the disciplinary issues are resolved,” Ingram said after a gutsy effort from his side.
University’s best on ground was No. 8 weapon Patrick Sowerby, Ingram singling him out after a mammoth performance where he bagged a five-pointer.
Inside centre Siliva Leofa also crossed but it wasn’t enough to combat 14-point winners, Brothers.
At Souths, the Magpies were masterful in a 27-0 win over the Wests Bulldogs.
Lock Mathew Robertson scored a double, while tryscoring fullback Dre-dyn Laban and halfback Willem Johnstone were threats throughout the game.
Souths were spearheaded by Johnstone and Dominic Thygesen at No.8. along with Lington Leli at prop, whose scrummaging and pick-and-drives call for an ice bath.
“We were very happy with the execution of our attack and defensive pressure,’’ said coach Cian O’Connor.
“Not conceding points is always a bonus,” he said about keeping the Bulldogs scoreless at home.
Wests head coach Roscoe Deacon said Saturday was a “tough day’’ against Souths.
“I can’t fault the effort of our boys but we needed to do better in a few crucial moments.
“We gave away a lot of size to a big Souths side who were well drilled.’’
For Wests, Darby Duke at lock and Trey Soli “stepped up to the physical battle,” according to Deacon.
And at Sunnybank, Northds were explosive as ever in a 39-7 triumph over the Dragons.
The Eagles back three in Sam Dickie, Mackenzie Fox and Will McCulloch had too much firepower, with the trio all coming away with two tries.
Dimitri Horton also scored when coming off the bench to boost the backline.
Sunnybank coach Brendan Underwood said: “Our execution was poor playing one dimensional footy.
“Playing around the corner and hitting a lead runner all the time does not cut it at this level.
“It was disappointing in the second half that we did not build enough pressure in the right areas.
Underwood praised Norths wingers Dickie and Fox and Australian Schoolboys fullback McCulloch who were given too much space to show their skills.
Indeed their pace and burst of speed slayed the Dragons.
But, lock Andrew Faiva was a shining light.
Underwood said he “stepped up today and had his full focus on his game.
“He executed everything really well.”
Colts 1 Team of the Week
15. Will McCulloch (Norths)
14. Sam Dickie (Norths)
13. Kadin Pritchardf (Brothers)
12. Tasman Barry (GPS)
11. Mackenzie Fox (Norths)
10. Dre-dyn Laban (Souths)
9. Willem Johnstone (Souths)
8. Patrick Sowerby (Uni)
7. Dominic Thygesen (Souths)
6. Oliver Harvey (Brothers)
5. Mathew Robertson (Souths)
4. Stuart Tualima (GPS)
3. Nick Harper (GPS)
2. Michael Toohey (GPS)
1. Rory Beech (Brothers)
Res: Lington Leli (Souths), Alex Kerr (Easts), Trey Soli (Wests), Tom Twaddell (Easts), Dimitri Horton (Norths), Andrew Faiva (Sunnybank), Darby Duke (Wests)
In the women’s competition, Brothers head coach Tony Wall said he had two run on debut players - Averil Bowring and Lynley Pratt, plus two debut girls from the bench - Rebecca Standford and Dani Visini.
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The everimproving Red Heavies notching a half century in the Crosby Park clash against Brothers.
“There was outstanding defence from the centres, from Brittney Brown, flanker Haddassah Todd and lock Grace Sullivan,” Wall said.
“Nina Poletti in the front row was strong, while wingers Laura Bain and Meredith Schultz were sharp.
“There was also good service by halfack Jordan Manega,” Wall said in praise of Manega, who continues to make an impact in any backline position.
At GPS, the Gallopers made it two-from-two on the day with a tense 12-7 pipping of their Tigers rivals.
Star winger Heleina Young, halfback Sarah Lewis and lock Tina Campbell were out of the action as they prepare for the Queensland Reds semi-final clash against the Brumbies on Sunday.
Lock Tyra Slade and forward mover Eleanor Vitaliano scored the points for GPS, while Taulaga Malaitai was the lone tryscorer for Easts.
“We were brave today,’’ said GPS coach Mutch Kite.
“Defensively I was happy as we had to defend a lot.
“Elenor Vitaliano had great impact off the bench, securing a crucial try that was the difference.
“Tahlia Lewis was able to lead the team from fullback, making great impacts in defence and attack.
“Jamila Tabaaauarua was threatening and made crucial plays when needed.’’
Kite said Tyra Slade was a leader of the pack, and also scored a try.
In Saturday night’s match Souths coach David Baldwin said it was difficult to single a player out - so happy was he with the team performance that led to victory - 27-12.
But prop Asi Mafi, No.8 Mary Tuaana and Leka Tuaana at five-eight did very well.
“I really liked the effort. The girls just really keep working and fronting for each other and they stuck to the game plan which led to the win.’’
Souths scored four tries, while for Wests Mellish and Nugent crossed.
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