CLUB RUGBY: Uni colts, Tigers’ women semi-final wins
Easts rugby’s women and the powerful University colts 1 team drew first blood in the semi-final series which started today at Ballymore.
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Easts rugby’s women and the powerful University colts 1 team drew first blood in the rugby semi-final series which started today at Ballymore.
WOMEN
QUALIFYING FINAL
A blue and gold wave washed over the top of GPS and sent the Galloping Greens hurtling sideways as Easts secured a win to qualify first for the women’s grand final in two weeks.
The Tigers won 39-14, producing an overpowering second half performance to leave GPS in its wake.
Two tries by replacement forwards Asako Ono and Alicia Heller came after the try of the match had been scored by Tigers lock Annabella Codey.
From leading just 15-14 at halftime, the score blew out to 32-14 as Easts used superior ball control to douse their rivals.
No. 8 Kiri Lingiman then iced an excellent match with another Easts try.
“The girls are a really skilful group who can move the ball side-to-side really well and the key for us was to try and retain possession and build phases,’’ said coach Tyrell Barker in praise of his team’s ball control.
And with steady possession, halfback Cobie-Jane Morgan was a treat.
“Cobie-Jane just controls the game well and on a hot day that is important, and the forwards just run it up and turn up for each other and that is what we asked. The bench also made a real difference.’’
With the scores 15-14 at halftime, Easts went on with the job.
To score her try, Codey, the daughter of former Wallaby captain David Codey, strode to the tryline like a 400m champion finishing a race.
She had latched onto a pass from her No.9 Morgan who had loomed in support after powerful No.8 Lingiman had scattered the GPS defence like ten pins.
It had started well for GPS when halfback Sarah Lewis took advantage of her team’s rolling maul expertise to dash and dummy her way over the line.
Easts then hit back hard with two tries, one from a well practised rolling maul and the second from a nice backline movement which had winger Jasmine Sio scurrying toward the left hand corner to cross over.
It was a well finished try from Sio who still had plenty of work to do as the GPS cover defence came across in cover defence.
Easts then challenged again midway into the first half to score the Tigers third try which was engineered by elite halfback Morgan.
Morgan threw a stunning long pass from the base of the ruck to No. 8 Kiri Lingiman who was lurking on a wide blindside.
It was clever play, spreading ball away from the close to the line, bash and barge forward play GPS were expecting.
When GPS did have the ball, they were enterprising through the backs and although down 15-7, the Galloping Greens looked more than capable.
Indeed it was no surprise when centre Wasie Toolis scored after a brilliant individual burst from 18m out, cutting back on the inside to plunge over beneath the posts.
GPS had been put onto the front foot after a barnstorming run from loosehead prop Hilisha Samoa. But 15-14 was as close as GPS would to get
GPS coach Denz Moors said her team still had plenty to offer and would work hard during the week.
“It was not the result we were looking for,’’ Moors said.
“There are plenty of positives and there are a lot of things we are looking to work on as a team and individually.
“We will reflect on today’s loss and improve not only their game but improve as a team together.’’
GPS will now play next Sunday against the winner of tomorrow’s clash between Sunnybank and Bond University.
COLTS 1
QUALIFYING FINAL
The very good teams can win many ways, and so it was the case today when University motored into the colts 1 grand final following a 35-5 win over Brothers.
Like a good hamburger shop, University have the lot at their disposal but today they put their lethal backline on ice to find a more conservative route to success.
Instead, what supporters saw was a team with outstanding ball control feeding a hungry pack that was expert in attacking off lineouts and rolling mauls.
Beyond the forward engagement was a backline which occasionally purred into action.
And around that, University fly-half Declan Maguire and fullback Jasper Mellish garnished the performance with astute tactical kicking when required.
The result was a cocktail of success that wore their willing rivals down.
“I just thought we were really patient today,’’ said Uni coach Darby Malaulau.
“We executed the simple stuff, which is what we concentrated on all week.
“We put pressure on them and we thought if we play pressure rugby we would come away with the win.’’
The match was closer than the scores indicated.
Brothers certainly bridged the gap from the previous encounter between the two teams when Uni ran their opposition ragged at Crosby Park.
Indeed when University opted to take a shot for penalty goal 22 minutes from full-time to inflate Uni’s lead to 18-5, it was a badge of honour for the Brothers defensive line that they did not tap and run or opt for a scrum.
But slowly Uni wore their rivals down, with a darting blindside try from No.9 Finn Hearn a defining moment of the second half around ace penalty goal kicking from fullback Mellish
Early on, University and Brothers were like a couple of prized fighters in the early rounds, nervously feeling each other out.
It was the Red Heavies who settled first, capitalising on some errors to position themselves at the right end of the field and it was no surprise when University scored first through backrower Sam Kelly-Knowles.
However, Brothers wasted no time replying.
With improved ball control, Brothers got their game going to challenge Easts on the fringe.
From the right hand side of the field, the ball was swept back to the left where rampaging backrower Nick Cross scored. University led 7-5.
However, much to the frustration of the Brothers’ bench, Brothers turned over possession from the restart.
RELATED NEWS
Soon after a surge of Red Heavies jumpers swarmed to form a rolling maul that Brothers were simply unable to repel, leading to Jake Tierney scoring.
University continued to have the better of the territory battle and Uni’s expertise attacking off line-out ball was a threat in the first half.
But Brothers certainly gained parity with their rivals with and without the ball, stoutly defending their own end while also controlling the ball better the more the half unfolded.
RELATED LINKS
BBC old boys shines for Brothers
Easts v Sunnybank, Brothers bounce back
Souths set up early semi-final clash with Wests
SUNDAY MATCHES
Ballymore
10am: Women minor semi-final
11:50am Colts 1 minor semi-final
1:40pm: Second grade minor semi-final
3:30pm: First grade minor semi-final
Sunnybank
8:10am: Colts 3 minor semi-final
10am: Colts 2 minor semi-final
11:50am: Fifth grade minor semi-final
1:40pm: Fourth grade minor semi-final
3:30pm: Third grade minor semi-final