Colts club rugby 2020: University defeat GPS at Ashgrove, Wests win over Sunnybank
It was running rugby from start to finish as University beat GPS 56-24 in a 12-try extravaganza of colts one rugby this afternoon at Ashgrove.
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It was running rugby from start to finish as University beat GPS 56-24 in a 12-try extravaganza of colts one rugby this afternoon at Ashgrove.
In summer-like conditions, both teams held up courageously during the peak of the day heat as University continued on its unbeaten start to the season against gallant opposition.
University’s running game was dynamic as forwards and backs linked the moment a teammate poked their heads through the defensive line.
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Uni coach Derby Malaulau was not overly pleased with the first half skill level when his team went to go wide before engaging in forward contact.
But he finished the match smiling. “Later on (in the second half) we saw some gaps there and we were able to run off that,’’ Malaulau said.
He said his team had the option to play a tight game or an expansive game, depending on the opposition.
It was a try-a-thon for University which had too much skill for their opponents.
Hearn Finnegan and Matt Engelbrecht both scored early after sweeping counterattacking movement, then Tom Lawrence crashed over followed by Nathan Bell and Engelbrecht again as University opened up a 35-19 advantage.
But the GPS side was brave.
An early covering tackle by Hugh Scott, driving defence by Ben Byrne, a tight head scrum win and a lineout win against the throw were all examples of the endeavour of the GPS side.
Indeed GPS opened the scoring when Tom Dangerfield, who plays above his weight, offered No. 10 Harry Wright a pass which enabled Wright to score.
A second driving tackle from Byrne which forced a turnover enabled GPS to score a second try courtesy of Ben Geraghty and the Galloping Greens actually led 21-19.
On a hot day, and with University out to a 56-19 advantage, GPS still fought hard in the concluding 10 minutes, including the last try of the match to centre Brad Altman.
“That (always trying) is these boys, I just love them,’’ said GPS coach Drew Vautin.
“We don’t have the depth that they have, but in the first half we played the best half of footie we have all season.
“They had some good players, but we were very good and it speaks volumes for the culture of this club the way these guys keep bouncing back.’’
Scores
University 59 (M Engelbrecht 2 H Finnegan, T Lawrence, P Elekana, M Bell, J Christian, S Kelly-Knowles tries; J Mellish 4 convs, C Rapilla 3 convs) def GPS 24 H Wright, T Valentine, B Geraghty, B Altman tries; B Altman 2 convs).
WESTS vs. SUNNYBANK
It was a forward’s dream for Wests with forwards scoring four of their five tries in a hard fought win against Sunnybank on a hot day in Toowong.
The tight, physical and entertaining affair ended 31-17, coaches of both teams praised their sides willingness to stay in the fight.
The Bulldogs got off to a great start scoring three minutes in to the game through No. 8 Taine Roiri pushing over from close range.
It didn’t take long for visitors hit back with some smart kicking and good running parking them inside the West’s danger zone.
A set play and some fancy footwork via Samuel Samu put Sunnybank on the board tying the game at 7 all early on.
Both sides have only had the one win so far and both sides were desperate for their second with tensions rising and a warning given to both sides.
The Sunnybank defence was valiant but the tough defence would crack in the 27th minute with Wests’ fullback Edan Zaupa setting up a lovely try.
He ran 30m from his own half palming off defenders before finding centre Darcy Reed in support who scored under the posts.
A tight half ended 14-7.
The second half started with a bang with a great run from Sunnybank fullback Kedan Chan Tung.
It looked like Sonny Bill-Williams had put on the green and white as Chan Tung seamlessly beat players before a fantastic offload to Samuel Samu to score under the posts.
The visitors took advantage of the momentum and converted a penalty giving them their first lead of the game.
But West’s wouldn’t go away with a breakaway run from lock Alec Robinson in the 46th minute giving the home team a four-point lead.
Then came one of the slowest footraces in 2020 Colts Rugby with substitute forward Cameron Howard making a break down the blindside.
Sunnybank forward Joseph Pule was hot on the heels of Howard during the 50m sprint, Howard scored in the corner, extending the Bulldogs’ lead to 9.
Wests fullback yellow carded for a late hit on winger Blessed Tumua but despite being down a man Wests made a charge through best on ground Sau Vaihu.
He iced the game scoring in the final minute with Wests winning 31-17.
Wests’ coach Rob Roiri praised his sides willingness to stay in the game and highlighted the performance from Sau Vaihu.
“It was tough, it was a game of two halves, I know the cliche but I think it the first half we never really fired any shots and took us a while to get into the game,” Mr Roiri said.
“It was a hot day and we just outlasted them really at the end of the day. I don’t think it was a clinical performance by us but a win is a win.”
Sunnybank coach Eddie Keepa also praised his side’s ability to stay in the game but put the loss down to basic errors.
“We didn’t do the basic stuff like exiting our 22 and I think as young blokes they panic when we’re behind on the scoreboard and try to score off every phase,” Mr Keepa said.
“That’s what we spoke about during the week, being patient, exiting and getting our restart right but all credit to Wests.”
“Once again Isaac (Crone) played really well and our hooker Josh Mahina had a couple of turnovers and did really well off the set piece.”
TRIES
Wests: 8. Taine Roiri 3’, 13. Darcy Reed 27’, 6. Alec Robinson 46’, 16. Cameron Howard 49’ 5. Sau Vaihu 70’.
Sunnybank: 13. Samuel Samu 13’, 36’.
PENALTIES
Wests:
Sunnybank: 10. Isaac Crone 39’
CARDS:
Wests: 15. Edan Zaupa 66’
Sunnybank:
EASTS v NORTHS
Clancy Nugent reports that elusive Easts winger Lachlan Tokome scored a hattrick that led his side to a 55-7 victory against Norths in a dominant performance.
Easts controlled the set-piece immaculately throughout the game with their scrum proving too strong to handle.
From the outset, points were flowing thick and fast despite a valiant Norths defensive line that certainly would not surrender.
A 19 point Tigers lead at the half was only the tip of the iceberg as they laid on another 29 unanswered points in the second.
Easts playmakers used the wind to their advantage in the second half with an immaculate kicking game that resulted in constant threatening field position.
The boys from the northern suburbs did everything they could to try and gain some momentum, but the Tigers performance was simply too classy.