GPS First XV rugby: The comeback round from COVID-19 shutdown
GPS First XV rugby: The comeback round following the COVID-19 shutdown saw a bumper Nudgee-Churchie clash, while Terrace remained unbeaten and TSS’s Syris Schmidt shone. Story here.
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“Fire up Toia, fire up’’ the Nudgee crowd chanted. And so Rob Toia did, setting Ross Oval alight with a scorching opening that helped deliver his team down payment on a 34-15 win over a pesky Churchie.
Nudgee fly-half Byron Smith also garnished his team’s win with a 19-point haul on a grand afternoon of GPS First XV rugby at famous Ross Oval.
Toia initially toyed with the opposition, setting up a 14-nil advantage before Churchie got into their groove to challenge the home side.
But throughout the afternoon Smith kept clocking up points, and everyone of them were needed as Churchie at stages closed the gap to 14-10 and 24-15 before losing two players to the sin bin late in the piece.
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“We knew they would be physical and technically good at the breakdown, and I thought they were rewarded for being hard at the ball, and it was hard for us to get into a rhythm which was to recycle ball and build phases,’’ said Nudgee director of rugby Sean Graham.
But he said No. 10 Smith “was class’’ and while it helped that he had front foot ball, “it was good to see Byron have a good day with the boot’’.
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Churchie coach Ryan Schultz said his team was effective in working off its set pieces, but overall the side couldn’t get into its attacking groove.
He also noted early on Churchie did not hit and stick with its defence, and as a result Toia ran riot wide after driving efforts around the ruck from ball running props Macarius Pererius, Natiana Winikerei and lock Daniel Maiava.
“But the background of this team is its character and there were not many minutes in the game that we weren’t in it.’’
However Schultz said there were plenty of young players in the side who would learn from the experience.
After outside centre Toia had impacted the game for Nudgee Churchie worked well in attack off its lineout and a rolling maul drive to hooker Max Craig over to score.
“Happy birthday to Max, Happy birthday to Max’’ supporters chanted, acknowledging Craig’s personal milestone while also cheering their side back into the match.
Halfback Archie Wilson scored again soon after for Churchie following a succession of pick and drive efforts by his forwards.
But Nudgee are as well balanced a schoolboy side as you can imagine, a very, very good football team linked together by halves Willem Johnstone and Smith.
Johnstone, the son of champion former Reds halfback Brett, scored a cheeky try from a quick tap penalty and Nudgee’s mission was complete.
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After the game captain Tony Fuimaono joyfully addressed Nudgee supporters who celebrated victory by mobbing their First XV mates.
In other games, Terrace won again - 28-21 after Brisbane Grammar School jumped out to lead 14-nil.
“The major lesson for us was that we played some really good rugby on occasions, but under pressure we lost our way in a 15-20 minute period where we went off script,’’ said BGS coach Phil Mooney.
“So we just need to learn to seize those moments and regain our composure.
“But Terrace were a tough team and very good at capitalising on our errors.’’
BGS’s midfield of Campbell Watchirs and Jackson Barling were excellent, while No. 8 Charlie McCauley got rolling.
“Grammar were tidy and got off to a good start,’’ said Terrace director of rugby Tyron Mandrusiak.
“Then we just did what we have done, grinded away and got back to 14-7 and kept pushing along.
“The boys are hard working kids who were led well again by Joe Liddy.’’
Terrace halves Mitch Bodimeade and Archie Xavier also excellent for the winners.
In Toowoomba, The Southport School scored a 38-10 win over Toowoomba Grammar School, with fly-half Syris Schmidt starring.
“Our No. 10 Syris Schmidt was dominant - it was a master class by him today and I don’t say that lightly,’’ praised TSS coach Mike Wallace.
“He completely dominated the game.
“Our forwards also laid a platform against Toowoomba who worked super hard. But the different was our Syris Schmidt.’’
Up front Massimo DeLutiis also did well, while TSS’s back three of Blake Raymond, Jye Grey and Jack Denson threatened.
“TSS were too good. We fought hard and as a whole team they had a go,’’ said TGS director of sport Steve Fryer.
At Brisbane Boys College, BCC celebrated its inaugural indigenous Day with a 24-19 victory over Ipswich Grammar School.
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