Colts rugby round 3: Easts Tigers roar while Bond University revved up its engines
Colts rugby round 3: Easts Tigers roar while Bond University and University of Queensland revved up their engines.
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The Easts Tigers produced its most complete performance of a short season with an imposing 31-7 win over GPS at David Wilson Field, Bottomley Park today.
The Tigers edged out GPS in a match which was more competitive than the scores indicated, with prop James Durham enormous and his teammates recycling possession more efficiently.
In other matches, Bond Uni revved up its engines with a 52-19 win over Sunnybank and University of Queensland accounted for Norths 52-3.
Wests will host Souths in an ANZAC Day special at Sylvan Road on Sunday afternoon.
Bulldogs coach Rob Roiri said there would be some initial disruptions to Wests season with halves Henry Winsch and Jake Sargwood and winger Will Purcell facing season ending injuries.
“Luckily we have recruited well and have some depth behind us. It gives others an opportunity and some people really strive under those circumstances,’’ Riori said.
Best for Sunnybank was No.8 Sam Mataafa.
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University of Queensland went up a gear to post 52 points against Norths.
Uni coach Derby Malaulau said he was most impressed by the manner in which The Students stuck to its structure, while also keeping Norths tryless.
Malaulau said his team’s commitment to the task also impressed because “it can be hard to stay focused (when leading up a long way), but we held it together.’’
Norths coach Dan Ritchie said his team was better than what they showed.
“The score did not reflect our ability,’’ he said.
He said against a team like University, if your standard slipped they would make you pay.
Ritchie said Uni worked harder and outsmarted them.
He also said he would like to see his players more vocal.
Again inside centre Oscar Donaghue was inspiring both carrying the ball and in defence, while flanker Okaw Obonno was strong again.
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At Bottomley Park, Easts looked a more seasoned experience side against a rookie GPS outfit.
With a succession of first half penalties waved their way, and outstanding ball control, Easts dominated territory and was able to build pressure on pressure.
For GPS there was no escaping the pressure cooker applied by Easts, not in the scrum or in the lineout where Easts shaded their rivals just enough to maintain the Tigers control on the match.
Prop Durham started the match strongly when he gave a pass for the first try to No.8 James Livingstone, and it was 12-nil when winger Lucas crossed.
Under pressure from the advancing Easts defensive line, GPS were also their own worst enemy, turning ball over as the side became fatigued.
But the Galloping Greens rallied either side of halftime, with enterprising No.10 Bas Ward crossing early in the second half to reduce Easts advantage to 12-7.
But when you play a team like Easts, you must do the little things right like nail restarts, win your own scrum ball and maintain possession in contact.
GPS did this in fits and starts, but not across the match and Easts made them pay.
Promising Easts No.12 Francis Pona and his centre colleague both scored tries as Easts lifted themselves to the safety of a 24-7 advantage.
Durham was great in the middle for Easts and the midfield potent for the winners.
Despite the scoreline, GPS were not light years off challenging the Tigers and they would have learnt more today than poking and probing their way to victory the previous week against Norths.
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