Club rugby: Souths storm on, Brothers, Easts, UQ in wins
Front runners for finals berths this year Easts, University, Souths and Brothers powered to victory in Colts 1 action today while Wallaroo Madi Schuck ignited a winning vibe for Easts’ women. See how round 12 unfolded.
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Souths Colts 1 marched on with another win while the Easts women welcomed back Wallaroo Madi Schuck with a 50-0 win over Norths in round 12 of the club rugby season.
In Colts 1 results, Easts beat Norths 27-17, University won 24-7 over Wests, Brothers defeated Bond University 31-11 and Souths soared with a 40-10 win over GPS.
In Premier Women action, Easts won 50-0 over Norths, Bond University beat Brothers 62-5 and University pipped Wests 15-12.
CLUB RUGBY PLAYERS YOU DO NOT WANT TO RUN AT
But in Colts 1 action at Easts, the Tigers tamed Norths 27-17 in a gruelling clash that to-and-froed before a Sam Farrar penalty late in the piece secured the points for the home side.
There was a halfback duel unfolding between Norths’ Kaleb Sturgess and Farrar of Easts, with both No.9s leading their sides tremendously.
The Easts backline, bolstered by trusty 50-22 kicking fullback Blake Davis, enjoyed the quick service of Farrar.
Farrar, a Queensland Reds Under 19s representative, with his crisp passing, straight goal kicking and communication, led Easts past the winners post.
Hooker Will Rogers, flanker Dan Healy, speed demon Sam Dickie and fullback Jack Hussey stood tall for the visitors. Flyhlalf Will Balke had a touch of class as well for Norths.
The Easts forward pack was tested more than once on their try line but brave defensive efforts were abound. Kaileb Crothers, Tom Twaddell and George Stoddart, amongst others, could be seen repelling Norths.
In the Easts backline, centre Gus Godwin ran good lines while Will Quinn used his pace to evade defenders.
The scoring plays looked like this:
+Easts halfback Sam Farrar slotting a penalty goal for 3-0.
+Towering Easts lock Tane Hetaraka scoring a pick and drive try for 10-0.
+North’s fullback Jack Hussey scoring his team’s first for 10-5.
+Easts winger Tanasio Winikerei scoring down the short side with a goose step to lead 17-5 at the break.
+The headgeared Hussey for his second to draw Norths within a try down 17-10.
+A penalty try for Easts to extend their lead out to 14 at 24-10.
+A dive out of scrum half from Norths’ guardian angel Kaleb Sturgess to hit back at 24-17.
+A Farrar penalty goal to settle the scores 27-17.
Earlier, the Easts women defeated Norths 50-0 with the crisp passing of Loretto Lealiifano and ball running of returning Wallaroo Madi Schuck proving a cocktail for success.
Lealiifano was up to her usual tricks, straightening the attack, putting her teammates through holes and orchestrating the backline blitz to perfection.
A highlight of hers came in the form of a 60 metre solo try where she pinned the ears back, sliced through the line and dotted it down under the posts.
Schuck scored a cool three tries.
Meanwhile, hooker Lainer Cooper Finau and props Theresa Soloai and Cheyenne Letalu were dealing damage close to the line.
Norths fought hard into the second half but losing No. 8 Greta Smith to injury didn’t help.
Smith made a try saving tackle in the first half and was playing well before leaving the field.
Outside centre Iovanna Fanene looked threatening with limited touches but the Tigers maintained possession and territory and made Norths pay.
The home side were bonus point winners.
At Bond University, the Bull Sharks came out guns blazing, testing the Brothers side who were without Finn Prass, Dre Pakeho and Charlie Brosnan (resting for Queensland trial game tomorrow).
The home side led 8-0 with early possession and physicality giving them the edge.
In the second half, Brothers got their hands on the ball and adapted back to their game plan which saw them run away 31-11 victors courtesy of some scrappy scramble defence.
Brothers head coach Greg Beaver said keeping Bond scoreless in the second half was very pleasing, as was the breakdown dominance shown by his side in the second half to come away on top.
Brothers’ depth was called upon and it did not disappoint.
No. 20 Cooper Cameron came off the bench early for an injured Charlie Stack and himself and Tanna Wilson combined very well for the visitors.
Bond head coach Rico Gear was very proud of the effort and physicality his team showed but noted a 15 minute period 50 minutes into the game was the turning point when Brothers sped the game up and scored two quick tries to get on a roll.
“Against top sides you can’t afford to give them an inch,” Gear said about allowing Brothers to get momentum and cash in.
“The effort was outstanding, we were physical, we put them under pressure.
“We just failed to capitalise on that pressure. We needed to score off our rolling mauls,” Gear said.
Lock Dylan Loader brought the energy in the forward pack while inside centre Callum Simpson had a superb showing in the backline.
The Year 12 student from Somerset College was excellent, his big boot, strong tackles, high rugby IQ and crash running very impressive in a losing effort.
At Souths, the Magpies started very well, scored early, and kept the pressure on their GPS rivals before winning 40-10.
The game was closer than the scoreline suggests but Souths were the better side.
A powerful first half saw the home side hold a 19-5 lead at the break and although No. 8 Dom Thygesen left the field injured, Souths still had more than enough cavalry to put away the gallopers.
Blooded at fullback with Will Nason and Dre-dyn Cruze Laban out was Jaidyn Cody, who played impressively for Souths.
Coach Cian O’Connor said it was great to see his team going so well not just in Colts 1 but across the three grades where Souths are placed in the top two in all three.
“We got to get the job done and move on,” O’Connor said about being nicely placed with five games to go.
Flanker Willem Pienaar was super until leaving the field injured, but this win can be attributed to the versatile Souths forward pack who were thrust into new positions when “down a lot of front rowers.”
Centre Joe Doljanin and flanker Stuart Tualima were strong for GPS.
At UQ, the Red Heavies defeated the Bulldogs 24-7 in a gritty performance which capped off a Colts sweep across the board for the club.
After a 34-7 loss against Souths in round 11, the UQ boys had a focus on intensity around the breakdown and they delivered in spades today with a dominant display in that area.
With quick ball from Finn Manca and the trusted decision making of fly half Siliva Leofa, University were in good hands.
Lock Ronan Austin and prop Harrison Swane were big time players in the forward pack with their strong scrummaging nullifying whatever threats Wests had for them.
It was a real arm wrestle according to University coach Matt Ingram, ultimately his teams ability to control field position earned victory.
“It was good with six blokes coming into the team this weekend, they showed full effort and accuracy of skill,” Ingram said about his Colts 1 newcomers stepping up to the plate.
Gregory Terrace old boy Joe Clifford had a great game on the wing.
For Wests, Trey Soli shone in the No.6 jersey as did No.8 Liam McGregor, the pair of them defending like men possessed.
Down the coast the Bond University women toppled Brothers 62-5 despite having players out with injury and other commitments.
“We played well in bits and pieces,” coach Lawrence Faifua concluded.
“The scoreboard was good but we are still trying to get combinations.
“We focused around the structure stuff and that was one of the areas we needed to tighten up on. I think we got the sequence of plays right,” Faifua said.
Halfback Mita Faifua stepped in and added energy and front foot ball for flyhalf Imogen Hei - who orchestrated countless tries, two of which scored by Dianne Waight.
Fullback Zara Colless was also an excellent second playmaker.
Wallaroo front rower Eva Karpani was a handful, as was bench reinforcement Tamika Smith who added a punch when coming on.
And at UQ, the Red Heavies escaped 15-12 against a fierce Wests outfit.
It took a big tackle with fifteen minutes to go from super-sub Tess Evans to turn a lack of energy into a winning push for her team.
After shooting out to an early lead, the UQ side got complacent and Evans was the one to turn the tide and swing momentum back in her side’s favour.
Lock Nena Williamson shone bright for the home side, her one percenters around the field and work rate just phenomenal according to coach Savelio Savelio.
“Biggest engine in the team,” Savelio said after a cracking game from his No.4 whose defence and ruck work was unrivalled.
The try of the day for UQ came from a set piece move where No.8 Charlotte Brown took it from the scrum and found fullback Giverny Robinson who strolled over.
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