Club rugby: Colts 1 upsets; stunning Women’s victories
Club Rugby: A stunning Colts 1 upset highlighted round 10 madness in club rugby, with tight tussles across the board. All the Women’s Premier Grade action and Colts 1 Team of the Week revealed here.
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In Colts 1 action, University of Queensland came back to defeat the West Bulldogs 12-9, GPS upset Brothers 13-12, Easts triumphed 38-17 over Sunnybank while Norths held off Souths to win 24-17.
GPS Colts 1 v Brothers Colts 1:
The unbeaten Brothers came over to Yoku road to take on a hungry GPS side ready to dethrone the competition leaders. And so they did.
The Gallopers finally found their form for the first time this season. GPS Dominated defensively and we’re the more synchronised team on the day with an inspired aggression seating the strongest team of all, 13-12.
GPS head coach Visesio Kite said: “ It shows we have some heart. It shows the boys are willing to tough it out because that’s the gold standard of Colts rugby right there (Brothers).”
“The boys just fought it out. We got some lucky breaks but I am really proud of the effort. Our will and want on defence was great. They kept busting us up but the guys kept fighting.”
It was a bit of 19th birthday brilliance from the GPS halfback Jayden Muller to get his team on the scoreboard first. Muller waited for his forward pack to get to the tryline before he snatched it from the back of the maul and dove over.
Brothers hooker Ronin Nutley returned the favour when going in at the back of a rolling maul. GPS deterrents in Campbell Moller, Ben Bannister, Darcy Hammond and Lachlan Howse denied multiple Brothers efforts at the line before they were finally rewarded for their hard work.
Kite said: “I’m really proud of our centres. Rosanowski and Moller who did a really good job handling the heat they got. Our forward pack stood up, particularly Darcy Hammond as a prop playing lock. Hopefully we can carry it on.”
Hooker Michael Toohey saved his team from losing their lead with a brilliant strip on Brothers Oliver Harvey who was charging at the line.
Tate Cole was able to extend the lead at 13-10 with two penalties. GPS second three-pointer was thanks to the individual brilliance of Tom Cox on the wing who stripped his defender and kicked the ball down field to advance to the try line.
It was star halfback Oscar Varrichio who drew his team within one with a sneaky scoot from the ruck.
Brothers head coach Greg Beaver said: “We got out-enthused on Old Boys day at GPS. We can’t have eight mistakes in the attacking 22. Especially here at GPS we have to be able to execute. We kept pushing, which is all I can ask.”
“GPS are the first team this year to beat us, but Sio is well-drilled and a great coach so he would’ve had them primed for today.”
Beaver’s standouts were Nutley, Jack Condon with his impact off the bench and Tevita Mapa with his carries, go-forward and work around the breakdowns.
At Souths Rugby Club, Norths came away 24-17 winners after leading 24-10 at half-time.
Following a great first-half of attacking footy, and courageous second half defence to withstand the pressure of a surging Souths side, Norths earned themselves a hard-fought victory.
Norths head coach Daniel Ritchie said: “ The way we defended our tryline for most of the second-forty was some of the most gutsy, inspiring defence I have ever seen.”
“I was so proud of the way they defended at the back end of the game. Souths put us under a lot of pressure and we were forced to defend. I couldn’t be more proud of the way they held them out,” Ritchie said.
Norths lock Jack Small was superb all game, “in the thick of everything.”
To go along with Small, the front row of Rohan Mann, Adam Winsbury and Ollie Harris as well as flankers Daniel Healy and Leo Langbridge stood up.
Langbridge finished off a cracking try before halftime built on the back of some good counter attack.
“Centre Declan Ries in the mid-field was amazing. He controlled the game really well with our halfback and captain George Stokes. They talked and organised well to lead the boys around the park,” Ritchie said.”
Souths head coach Cian O’Connnor said: “ Our own errors killed us again. We made silly errors and we didn’t produce our training form.”
North’s best were Ben Murphy at hooker with “excellent carries and tackles all game” and fullback Kullen Pamatatau in his return from injury.
O’Connor said: “ Norths played really well. They were hungry and battled all game, especially in the second half to hold us out.”
“We are still building. There’s a long way to go yet so we aren’t going to panic,” O’Connor said.
At Sci-Fleet Stadium, Wests had had a kick at the end to equalise the scores at 12, however it wasn’t to be with UQ 12-9 victors in another tight tussle.
West’s head coach Rob Roiri said: “ We wanted to see how we could compete against a top four team and we did really well. We led for 60 minutes of the game, and we were probably the better team.”
UQ’s Tom Lynagh was the difference between the sides. Roiri had high praise for the son of Wallaby Great Michael Lynagh, “ a smart kid with a great rugby head directing his team around the field.”
There were key moments where Wests could have won the game but it was schoolboy errors like kicking instead of holding the ball which prevented the Bulldogs from getting the result.
Roiri said: “We showed we can compete. From round two to where we are currently working towards is just beautiful. We are progressing quite nicely.”
“It was great to see lock Max Johnson back. He’s one I think will get contracts at the back end of the season.”
West’s centres in Lebron Naea and Darcy Reed were dominant in the middle, showing the Redheavies giving the Redheavies a handful to deal with.
UQ head coach Matt Ingram said: “Wing Ethan McFarland, had some really strong ball carries on the edge and Lynagh was great at flyhalf, controlling the territory well and putting us where we needed to be.”
“To get a result when we didn’t have a performance to match it was really pleasing. To come away winners really shows we are trending towards being premiership contenders.”
At Sunnybank, Easts got back in the winning circle with a cracking 38-17 victory.
Easts head coach Tyrell Barker: “We bounced back after two disappointing results over the last two weeks and played some quality attacking footy. Our attack was excellent which was very pleasing.”
“Our No.8 Taine Roiri was excellent and lock Xavier Boyle was outstanding.”
Gregory Terrace Old Boy Xavier Boyle was a workhorse to get in the game as much as he could and steer his team to victory.
“His work rate and double-efforts, energy with his carries, aggression into contact and physicality was tremendous,” Barker said.
Easts fly half Oryaan Kalalo controlled the game well with his superb kicking and running.
No.8 Elemasi Latu was outstanding for Sunnybank, with strong ball-carrying and defence.
Flyhalf Woody Gollings directed his tea well around the park, while scrumhalf Jayvan Scarff sparked multiple attacking sparks throughout the game.
Sunnybank head coach Brendan Underwood said: “ It was great to see Jayvan back to his best.”
“ Unfortunately our discipline let us down again with a yellow card and Easts pouncing with a couple quick tries to secure the win.”
Underwood said his team was only four points down with 10 minutes to play.
COLTS 1 TEAM OF THE WEEK
Fullback: Athen Waia-McGuiggan (Brothers)
Wing: Ethan McFarland
Outside centre: Darcy Reed (Wests) and Campbell Moller (GPS)
Inside centre: Lebron Naea (Wests)
Wing: Rhonan Jensen (GPS)
Fly-half: Tom Lynagh (UQ)
Halfback: Oscar Varrichio (Brothers)
No.8: Tevita Mapa (Brothers) and Taine Roiri (Easts)
Flanker: Ben Bannister (GPS) and Leo Langbridge (Souths)
Flanker: Daniel Healy (Souths)
Lock: Xavier Boyle (Easts)
Lock: Max Johnson (Wests)
Prop: Darcy Hammond (GPS)
Hooker: Ronin Nutley (Brothers)
Prop: Ollie Harris (Souths)
Reserves: Adam Winsbury (Norths), Lachlan Howse (GPS), Ben Murphy (Souths), Moses Jones (Sunnybank), Fergus Nasser (Uni), Jack Condon (Brothers), Gus Rosanowksi (GPS), Rhonan Jensen (GPS).
In women’s action, GPS triumphed 20-5 over Brothers, Wests defeated UQ 12-7, Easts clinched a 24-22 over Sunnybank, while Souths swooped Norths 50-5.
At GPS, the premier grade women were able to make it eight-from-eight with another convincing victory over Brothers.
Although it was a battle of first and last on the ladder, the footy on display was very competitive.
Brothers coach John Burton said: “ I was very happy with the performances. Kirra Burke was our best getting a lot of turnovers.”
“Our front row in Nina Poletti, an import from New Zealand and our centres with their line speed were great. Quite a few of our players played the best I have ever seen. It was a game we could’ve won,” Burton said.
Some dazzling footwork from Brothers flyhalf Jordan Manega and strong running from No.8 Anna Johnston and flankers Kirra Burke and Eve Robertson had GPS on the back foot early.
However, it was lock Megan Mcalernon who crashed over first for GPS following swift hands from Grace Ropati to shift it with defenders on her.
GPS wing Tabitha Cleary was next to pounce when barging over the opposition and scoring down the left edge. Halfback Sarah Lewis was the instigator, slicing through the Brothers defensive line and dashing 30m downfield, before being held up just short of the line.
Prop Teresabell Faith Lemanu bumped off her prey to make it three unanswered tries from GPS, extending the home team’s lead at 15-0.
Brothers wing Katerina Tooth took no time at all to get her team on the board in the second half. It was a statement try to tell GPS that they came to play and although they haven’t had much luck in the way of winning this season, they are as tough as any other opponent in the competition.
Brothers had more of the possession throughout the game and took care of the ball with plenty of great phase-play. They looked like an entirely different team to last week.
They were hungry. They wanted it more. However the GPS side was persistent on defence and executed every time they were presented a chance.
Flyhalf Yoshida Miyuu was rewarded for her leadership and organisation in the backline with a deserving five-pointer with 14 minutes left in the game.
The defence of GPS flanker Eleanor Vitaliano and centre Sian Lavea paired with the damaging ball- running from flanker Amy Kuilboer and fullback Tahlia Lewis was too dominant for Brothers to compete with.
Despite the best efforts of Brothers hooker Lydia Durkin and prop Se’ei S’u, the GPS Premier Grade women won 20-5.
GPS head coach Mote Kite said: “ we had the chance to blood seven of our newer girls. Sarah Lewis at scrumhalf led us really well. I am happy we got the job done.”
“ Brothers were really good. Their set piece was great, and after forfeiting two games and then performing like that they should be very proud.”
Kite said he rested some players in preparation for a tough contest next week against Easts.
At Sunnybank, a try after the siren by flyhalf Loretta Lealiifano gave Easts a thrilling 24-22 victory over Sunnybank in what was an argy-bargy affair.
Lealiifano scored off the back of some crafty attack, and then converted the kick to top off a fantastic win.
Easts head coach Gary Wilson said: “As the girls do every week, they showed a lot of resolve. We were under-strength, but the way we played to our strengths really paid off for us.”
Prop Theresa Soloai was the best for Easts.
Week in week out she is a force to be reckoned with. “She shows a lot of leadership up front, and she is a very strong forward. A powerhouse,” Wilson said.
“Our entire forward pack in Brie Salagaras, Taulaga Malaitai, Atherna Vili and Haidee Head deserve recognition for what they pulled off.”
Centre Carla Huysamen had a heroic performance out of position, “showing up” big time.
At Souths, a cracking team effort saw the home side defeat Norths 50-5.
The whole Souths outfit played really well and brought the energy and intensity that had been brewing within a young and inexperienced, yet talented group.
In the forwards, flanker Sheila Asiata played brilliantly. Head coach David Baldwin said: “ She led our defence and carried with real purpose. Her efforts were even more remarkable when you factor in the full game of rugby league she played earlier in the day.”
“In the backs, centre Leke Tuaana punished Norths for their errors with brilliant kicking.”
In attack, she ran riot.
At Sci-Fleet Stadium, theWests women were able to make up for the Colts 1 loss earlier in the day and win 12-7 over UQ.
UQ head coach Derby Malaulau said: “We were poor. We had a plan but our basic skills let us down. we dropped balls near the try line and didn’t execute. We were supposed to get numbers at the rucks but failed to on numerous occasions.”
“Credit to Wests they took the game to us. They sent their big players through the middle. They capitalised off our mistakes.”
Malaulau had high praise for UQ, “they were excellent. Their marquee players and experienced players really shone through.”
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