GPS First XV rugby round 4: Terrace, BBC win in big round.
Brisbane Boys’ College is on a collision course with Nudgee College for the GPS rugby premiership, while three of the best tries of the year came in Gregory Terrace’s strong 38-19 win and Churchie also had a victory.
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Three of the best GPS rugby tries of the year came in Gregory Terrace’s strong 38-19 win over Brisbane Grammar School at Tennyson this afternoon.
Terrace were too good for their Spring Hill rivals with assistant coach Reg Tayler saying it was a team performance getting the side over the line.
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An unlucky BGS error off the kick-off handed Terrace the perfect start with Hooker Rory Slevin pushing over from metres out and winger Campbell King converting from right in front.
Some good ball security mixing with hard running gave them the home team their second try through second rower Angus Munn, skipping to a 14-0 lead within the first ten minutes.
A smart play from scrum-half Henry Davis saw him go to the blindside and score their third try in short succession.
Terrace were clinical, scoring one of the tries of the year with inside centre Devin Pule’anga pouncing on a dropped pass 20m out from his own line.
He sprinted past the halfway line before chucking it on the boot to winger Josiah Harrison-Leaunoa who got a first class bounce to score under the posts.
BGS were now staring down the barrel of a 26-point deficit and needed something special to get themselves into the contest.
That moment came from a slick set play inside their own half, with winger Harry Logan putting a well-weighted grubber forcing Terrace in goal.
The visitors made the most of the strong field position with outside centre Jackson Barling scoring through a strong run.
The home side hit back soon after with Josiah Harrison-Leaunoa scoring his second Terrace lead 31-5 at halftime.
BGS had a big half ahead of them if they were to stage a 19-point comeback, and it started in superb fashion.
Another contender for try of the year came from BGS this time with a crispy set play leading to fly half Kruz Rimene stepping through traffic to score.
Lachie Kerr converted to make it 31-12.
The champagne Rugby continued from BGS again through another great set play and Rimene finishing again, shortening the deficit to just 12 points.
But Terrace iced the game shortly after with a nice ball from Josiah Harrison-Leaunoa to Jonathan van Aswegen to make the final score 38-19.
Terrace Assistant Coach said the side were brilliant in the first half but still searching for the full game performance.
“The first half shows how good we can be, but we need to work to get that through both halves,” Mr Tayler said.
“After we let in nearly 70 points against BBC we’ve been pretty strict on how we defend so that’s been building week by week and hopefully continue that for the rest of the year.”
“It was a really good team effort, which is cliche to say but it was, there were four of five player that played really well but just great to say everyone chipping in and playing their role.”
Brisbane Grammar School’s Director of Rugby Phil Mooney said the second half showed what the side is capable of.
“Cruz is an outstanding player, he’s probably been the catalyst for our attack in all of our games and today there was a couple of examples of individual brilliance,” Mr Mooney said.
“I think the second half was an indicator of what we’re capable of but we just need to do it more consistently.
TRIES
Terrace – Rory Slevin, Angus Munn, Henry Davis, Josiah Harrison-Leaunoa 2, Jonathan van Aswegen
BGS – Jackson Barling, Kruz Rimene 2.
THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOL v BRISBANE BOYS’ COLLEGE
Brisbane Boys’ College did not announce themselves as premiership contenders, they bellowed it at the top of their lungs with an imposing 45-6 victory over The Southport School.
While the result was not a shock, the margin was as BBC dominated their rivals at the Village Green.
“It was a thorough performance,’’ said BBC director of rugby Steve Meehan.
The BBC forwards were outstanding, the lineout excellent and the attacked was nicely varied.
But best of all was the defence.
Indeed, so good was the defence that BBC fullback Taq Annan may not need to put his jersey in the wash this week, so little physical contact did he have.
BRISBANE STATE HIGH vs TOOWOOMBA GRAMMAR
Toowoomba Grammar School beat Brisbane State High School to win 38-29 their first game of 2020.
It was an entertaining game with the lead changing throughout the match, but TGS were just too strong in the end.
Brisbane State High’s Matt Thornton said it was an “outstanding match between two really committed teams.”
Toowoomba scored a try right on the siren to seal the game.
IPSWICH GRAMMAR SCHOOL v ANGLICAN CHURCH GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Churchie had a wonderful win 36-19 over Ipswich Grammar School.
“It was an open game and the ball was moving quickly up and down the field, but we controlled it a bit better,’’ said Churchie director of sport Sean Tasker.
He said Sam Farrar and Luke Philt and Larson Dale-Doyle all did well in a fine team effort.
IGS were down a number of key players out with injury, but no one can deny Churchie the win.
“While the effort was there, the execution was inaccurate,’’ said IGS director of sport Nigel Greive.
“The lack of execution resulted in constant pressure and possession for ACGS.
“ACGS were able to capitalise on their opportunities and scored some very good team tries.
Best for IGS again Xavier Stowers No.8 and prop Dante Friedan.