Colts, Women’s club rugby round 1 action
Wow! What a start to club rugby today with Sunnybank and GPS roaring to victory while Colts 1 started with a bang as last year’s premiers set sail. Match coverage plus Team of the Week here.
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The Sunnybank, Souths and Bond University women produced a rollicking start to the season while Easts colts 1 survived a scare against Sunnybank – and UQ, Bond Uni and Souths all had winning starts to the season.
The GPS women also overcame a dogged University of Queensland to win 31-15 as the season started in sweltering summer conditions.
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At Sunnybank, The Dragon’s women could not have been more impressive during a 67-10 win over a depleted Tigers.
The rejuvenated Sunnybank girls were tremendous upfront, both also with their wide shifts courtesy of No. 10 Kasey Roiri and halfback Ana Afuie.
Out the back Kouna Lopa was busy injecting her side, while centre Seta Aho Fangaloka was magnificent at outside centre.
Easts, without their five representative players, tried hard to stay in the match, but Roiri’s runaway try seemed to break the riverbank.
Athletic second rower Maddy Ivy Jade was strong, while Izzy Robertson iced the cake with a flurry of conversions.
Dragons assistant coach Sione Helu said the tempo at which Sunnybank played the game was “top notch’’.
“Playing against big bodies, it was essential to keep that speed up and eventually they would get tired,’’ Helu said.
“That was when we started to get on the front foot. That tempo of the game was what we wanted to do.’’
He said there was work to be done executing off lineouts and scrums, and tidying up around the breakdown.
He said it was great seeing plenty of punch off the bench from the reserves.’’
Tigers coach Shannon Symon said the scrum went well and the girls tried hard, but they were down on numbers.
“A lot of the girls stood up,’’ he said. He praised Shannon Symon and Tara Reed
In Colts 1 action at Sunnybank, the Tigers colts 1 broke free of their rivals late to record victory.
Sunnybank, using the rolling maul as a weapon, had jumped their rivals at the start, but slowly, surely, the Tigers found their groove into the first half
East fullback Blake Davis was on the end of a nice outside, inside pass to score, a five-point which broke the deadline and presented his side with a 19-12 halftime lead.
But back Sunnybank surged, actually drawing ahead at one stage before yellow card gift- wrapped the Tigers the match.
Throughout it all Easts halfback Sam Farrar was tremendous, a nice link between the team’s go-forward and wide shifts.
It was Farrar who struck a blow just after halftime when he scooped up possession at the back of the lineout, diving over from close range.
But Sunnybank rallied, much to the delight of coach Brendan Underwood who relished the squad’s improvement from last season.
“We competed,’’ he said gleefully. And it was against the joint 2022 premiers, no less, brimming with representative players.
“I was more than happy with the effort,’’ he said, lamenting one crucial dropped ball when a try was beckoning.
Underwood was also pleased with his team’s scrum that had been fine tuned by Samoan international Dan Leo.
Dragons inside centre Joshua Crevola was excellent, while No. 2 Fehi Mehina was outstanding. The calm nature of five-eight Ailaoa Jonathan Nanai also came to the fore, while
Sunnybank junior Lolo Sekona made a welcomed return to the club.
Tigers coach Tyrell Barker was pleased with the winning effort, although there were some obvious round 1 deficiencies such as discipline, concentration at times and allowing Sunnybank momentum shifts which led to simple tries.
But his team was rewarded for his scrum and field position, with Farrar a driving force both with his elite kicking game and work with the ball.
Barker also praised fullback Blake Davis, second rower Alex Kerr and his front row of Kaileb Crothers, Toby Weston and Nick Bloomfield.
And at the Lakes College, GPS started strong in the Premier Women’s competition with a 31-15 win over UQ.
GPS’ experience came in handy, as did their brick wall defence which stood tall for all but three moments in the game, the Yoku road girls conceding three tries in the contest.
To UQ’s credit they managed to stay in the game, putting up a good fight to score the final try of the day with just two reserves.
After an early injury they were left with one bench player.
Coach Savelio Savelio said after Easter they should get some troops back, with girls missing games due to rugby league and university exams among other reasons.
“We fell away from our game plan and the tiredness set in. I am proud of our effort.
“It’s a very young group of girls. We just have to get by for a couple rounds but we should have more than two reserves soon. I can’t fault the effort.
The first of three chinks in the GPS armour came on the stroke of half time when an overlap saw fullback Giverny Robinson stroll over.
Savelio said Robinson, who scored two, was something special: “Once she finds her feet in the backline we got, she’s going to be a lot better. A lot more electric. She’s got pace and a good head on her. It will come with time.
“Prop Talia Ng had an awesome game carrying up the ball.”
The play before Robinson’s five-pointer, GPS forward Isi Govea bailed her side out of trouble with a pilfer to win the ball on the try line.
Robinson looks to glide from one end of the field to the other, the No. 15 deceptively quick.
She also has a deadly left foot step in her arsenal.
Earlier, GPS scored a hat-trick of tries to set sail in the Northside clash.
No. 8 Sereima Leweniqila crossed, as did damaging centre Losalio Sita Payne, who walked right over her rivals to dot it down under the posts.
Kite said his side is lucky to have Leweniqila, the captain of the Fijian World Cup side last year.
“She came over for a league contract but they got her visa wrong so she rocked up to training and I said we will sign you up straight away. We’re very lucky.
Then, excitement machine Heleina Young did what she does best, the speedy winger scorching down the touchline for a 60m solo try.
Young had been training with the Queensland Reds Super W side for months before having to drop out due to a visa issue.
“She was happy to come and play. She enjoys it here at GPS. This might be the last year we have her, I reckon she might get picked up by the Fiji sevens.
“We got her because her aunty has a relationship with the club.”
And in the second half, GPS came out galloping again with an early score.
It was lock leader Leana Dyer who capitalised on the metres made from halfback Emily Wickham.
While GPS scrum half Sarah Lewis was away in Melbourne playing for the Queensland Reds, Wickham was an excellent replacement, scooting down the blindside to set up the Dyer try.
Kite said it was Wickham’s first game in the position. “She ran well in the second half.”
Around her was fly half Isabella Coll who made a brilliant return to footy after missing last season due to injury.
She delivered bullet passes, knew when to kick, straightened up the attack and controlled the game to keep the momentum in her team’s favour.
“She was playing league for the Magpies and had an injury last season. She’s normally a fullback. She’s a handy footballer. Very handy actually,” Coach mutch Kite said.
“We’re hoping to get our four Reds girls back.”
UQ scored their second with 15 minutes to play, drawing closer at 24-10. But, the yellow headgeared Leweniqila barrelled over for her second to move ahead at 31-10.
Dyer was busy for the entire 70, as was vice-captain Amelia Brown who dazzled with her offloads in the first half.
UQ flanker Tomairangi Kahukuranui struck on the siren to settle the scores at 31-15.
It was a reward for her side’s hard work, fighting to the final whistle.
And in the Colts 1 contest, UQ kick started their season with a 28-7 victory over GPS.
After sharing premiership spoils last season with Easts, UQ were back to their winning ways with a fresh crop of talent leading the charge.
Fullback Mathew Brice was joined by Churchie Old Boy Mac Kelley on one wing and Gregory Terrace Old Boy Max Boulton on the other. Two quick youngsters with good speed and acceleration to accompany the Noosa talent who shone brightly for the Reds in the Under 19 National Championships last year.
But all eyes were on second year Colts scrum half Tom Manca, who provided everything you could possibly want out of your No.9.
His passing was crisp, communication clear and box kicking a delight for coach Matt Ingram, the Sunshine Coast product turning his rivals’ backs with half a dozen kicks down field.
Coach Matt Ingram said it was a really good start for his team.
“Tom is one of our senior players and he really relieved the second half pressure. He took it upon himself. He’s a very good player.
“In the middle of the park we went missing, but in the red zone our forwards really mustered up. At both ends, we defended strongly and when we had scoring chances we were good. “Promising signs.”
Ingram’s best forward was Jordan Dick, who ran “nice lines, was busy around the breakdown and stayed active all game.
Tom Manca was the best back, with Brisbane State High Old Boy Siliva Leofa a “brilliant running threat” according to Ingram.
Flanker Patrick Sowerby, Manca, fly half Oscar Wright and prop Harrison Swane crossed for UQ, while Jesse O’Neill was GPS’ lone tryscorer.
Powerful flanker Mathias Maugatai was a bright spot for the Gallopers, the No. 6 a rib cruncher, strong scrummager and hard runner.
Wing Ben Nielsen and 17-year-old fullback Pat Tierney were also fierce competitors.
And in the Women’s match at Sci-Fleet Stadium, the Bond University Bull Sharks earned a 29-17 victory over the Wests Bulldogs.
The visitors had two speed demons in Dianne Waight and 17-year-old Charlize Ratu lurking on each wing and five warriors in the middle who deserve to put their feet up after earlier in the day playing for the Tweed Seagulls in the BMD Premiership.
Flanker Jaida Faleono, fly half Jetaya, Jemma Bemrose, Tamika Smith, prop Luisa Pit, just to name a few, all have an extra reason to be sore after a hard fought 12-point victory.
Bond Uni coach Puea Faifua said there was a focus on trying to find his speedy wingers.
“We‘re trying to play too much sevens at the moment. If our middles do the work we can always create some magic out wide.
“It is a pleasure coaching them. It’s easy.
“It’s just trying to find out where they belong. Some are playing sevens, 15s and league.
“The good thing is being able to get them back to play. We were disconnected today but we’re happy with the result.
“There were four players in the BMD Premiership today and three in the Harvey 19s junior representative competitions.”
Bond winger Waight set things alight down the right touchline with two long range solo tries to catapult the defending premiers ahead early. On both occasions the speedy No. 14 was on the right side of an overlap and all she had to do was wind up.
And with a couple strides she was away. Bond were up 12-0 quickly with Zara Colless adding the extras, before prop Ayla Cook capitalised on the Bulldogs momentum which they built playing 15-on-14.
An exciting second half loomed with Bond up 17-7, promising young winger Charlize Ratu a try scorer on the stroke of half time.
Ratu fired up on the right edge in the second 35, on one occasion bumping two defenders to the ground as she made her way back in field.
Bond and Wests traded blows to set up a fantastic finish at 29-17 in favour of Bond.
Gabriella Rivers scored for the girls from the Gold Coast while outside centre Gemma Lawrence and lock Tiarrie-Lee Fanuatanu scored for the home side.
Lawrence’s try was something else, the No. 13 ripping the ball from her rivals grasp and breaking free to score.
But, Rivers’ five pointer was just as special, the inside centre running a superb line off the right hip of her fly half.
Wests halfback Jessica Craig was sensational, leading her troops in the forward pack and backline all afternoon.
Jess Nugent and Darcy Milfull were also impressive on the wing. Although their opposites found the chalk, these two often made line breaks on the edge. And behind them at fullback was Sabay Lynam who returned the ball with great aggression.
In the Women’s at Souths, a hat-trick from No. 8 Mary Tuaana captured the Magpies first win of the season with a dominant 72-0 showing against Norths.
Inside centre Soloi Ruby Finau and halfback Gracie Wright also dazzled with a double as the home side piled on a whopping 12 tries.
Flanker Tabitha Cleary, lock Sheila Asiata, outside centre Deborah Burese and winger Tayla Delaforce were among the try scorers.
At Chipsy Wood Oval, Souths coach Cian O’Connor was relieved to get a 10 point win, 27-17, over Norths.
The Magpies started well, Norths surged back into it, but then the Magpies showed some pluck to get the win.
“I liked that we showed some grit,’’ O’Connor said.
An outstanding scrum spearheaded by Trevor King, Harry Holt and Saxon Warwick helped Souths to victory, while No. 8 Dominic Thygesen was outstanding at flanker.
Winger Denzil Perkins highlighted his skills with a fabulous try.
But O’Connor said the overall execution needed to improve, including the lineout.
But his side will be better for the run. “We needed that.’’
St Laurence’s College alumni Jake Kurbatoff scored a try in his first Colts hitout.
The tall lock was captain of the Lauries’ First XV for the last two years, and in both years they came away with the AIC premiership.
Norths coach Tom Donnell said he was proud of his team’s effort against a big Souths side.
“”We’ve been working really hard on our defensive framework and we executed really well in that area, creating pressure and counter opportunities for that.’’
Eagles centre Mikey Temo was mighty for Norths, while Mackenzie Fox did a great job setting a platform.
And at Sci-Fleet Stadium, Bond Uni triumphed 21-10 over the Wests Bulldogs.
Winger Harry Logan bagged a double for the home side.
Wests Coach Roscoe Deacon said the attack was clunky and never got going, noting the breakdown as an area for improvement moving forward.
“I was pleased with how we stayed in the game with limited possession, putting ourselves in a position to steal it at the end.”
Roscoe’s blindside flanker Te Moana had a cracker, as did outside centre Dom Kallquist.
COLTS 1 TEAM OF THE WEEK:
1. Harrison Swane (UQ)
2. Trevor King (Souths)
3. Nick Bloomfield (Easts)
4. Alex Kerr (Easts)
5. Te Moana Beale (Wests)
6. Matthias Maugatai (GPS)
7. Jordan Dick (UQ)
8. Dominic Thygesen (Souths)
9. Sam Farrar (Easts)
10. Ailaoa Jonathan Nanai (Sunnybank)
11. Denzil Perkins (Souths)
12. Siliva Leofa (UQ)
13. Dom Kallquist (Wests)
14. Joshua Crevola (Sunnybank)
15. Blake Davis (Easts)
Res: Mike Temo (Norths)
Darcy Hammond (GPS)
Mackenzie Fox (Norths)
Lolo Sekona (Sunnybank)
Tom Manca (UQ)
Nick Harper (GPS)
Kaileb Crothers (Easts)
Fehi Mehina (Sunnybank)
Toby Weston (Easts) .
Round 2:
Sunnybank v Brothers
Norths v Wests
Bond v Easts
Souths v UQ
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