GPS Rugby 2019: State High deny Gregory Terrace fightback

The younger brother of spurned Wallaby Quade Cooper shone for Brisbane State High as they seized their first win of the season by denying a late Gregory Terrace fightback. Read the match report:

BRISBANE State High flyhalf Moses Jones stepped up with his best moments of the season in the rousing 43-31 win over Gregory Terrace at Tennyson today.

Excellent passes put standout centre Sam Sili over for two tries, a switch play sent prop Linston Tuimavave thundering over for his first of the season and two angled conversions in a blustery wind were superb.

The final scoreline still reflected nothing of the fluctuating drama of the game which was a lopsided runaway, a grandstand Terrace comeback and anyone’s game at different stages of the clash.

GPS Rugby: Gregory Terrace v Brisbane State High Jaiden Christian pushes aside Terrace defenders Saturday 10th August 2019. (AAP Image - Richard Waugh)

Terrace coach Ryan Schultz and his players were well aware there could be a lull in intensity a week after the huge rivalry match against Nudgee College and addressed the need to start strongly because of it.

It was to no avail because State High wrestled a 24-0 jump with far sharper, more bustling play of their own.

On most afternoons that would be game over but Terrace boldly closed to 36-31 and only gallant State High lock Ben Bartlett prevented a go-ahead try by holding up a red-and-black surge over the line.

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When quick hands from Jones put Sili over on the shortside for the final try on full-time the relief was palpable after a tough run against Ipswich Grammar (38-14), Nudgee College (62-21) and The Southport School (52-7).

Players embraced and high-fived to enjoy what had been created by standout No.8 Alapati So’oala’s three tries and a big team effort.

“It’s an awesome feeling because we all know how hard we have worked at training for this,” captain Tuimavave said.

GPS Rugby: Gregory Terrace v Brisbane State High Sam Sili scores for Terrace Saturday 10th August 2019. (AAP Image - Richard Waugh)

“The short GPS season is such a mental game with having to stay positive all the time and always to keep moving to the next game.

“We were on notice that we needed to come together and it means a lot that we did because a tough three weeks had taken a toll.”

Tuimavave had dished a lovely one-handed offload to So’oala for his sidestepping, second try and he had strong support up front all afternoon from prop partner Jaiden Christian.

When Jones popped a neat ball into space for Sili’s first try on the stroke of halftime, his encore was even better. A teammate needed to hold the ball on the kicking tee so strong was the wind.

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The kid brother of Quade Cooper smacked it hard enough but the ball seemed to loll above the crossbar before deciding to drop like rock when the wind took charge. Over and two points.

There was concern late in the first half when Terrace prop Ezekiel Amituanai dived with determination for the tryline. The ball and his head thudded into the padded base of the upright almost at the same time. It was a try but he was stretchered off with neck soreness.

The 31-14 halftime score didn’t daunt Terrace with skipper Louis Jorgensen making yet another strong run to go with his ball steals.

GPS Rugby: Gregory Terrace v Brisbane State High David Valhu makes break for Terrace Saturday 10th August 2019. (AAP Image - Richard Waugh)

He featured in the lead-up to winger Ben McMahon’s runaway 70m try down the left touchline when the finisher showed all the polished technique of a track sprinter in the school’s 4 x 100m relay squad.

So’oala’s hat-trick try off the back of a scrum seemed to have wrestled control again but hooker Rory Slevin’s lineout drive try and a pick-and-go effort from prop Emerson Treasure changed the whole complexion of the match.

State High were the team suddenly under pressure and a long arcing pass behind his tryline was one of Jones’s few miscalculations of the day because when it was knocked-on it gave Terrace a 5m scrum.

Terrace impatience and State High’s resolute defence prevented a score.

Replacement Nick Aitken gave Terrace another chance of stealing the win with a fine swerving run past his opposite number and a chip kick ahead that could have changed the game with a different bounce.

GPS Rugby: Gregory Terrace v Brisbane State High Wian Joubert on the attack for State High Saturday 10th August 2019. (AAP Image - Richard Waugh)

The Terrace fans had been shouting “Aitken, Aitken, Aitken” well before he touched the ball so they were onto something.

New State High halfback Sam Bruun had a fine debut start in the First XV in what is his first rugby season after concentrating on cricket.

Hooker Josh Mongard was non-stop.

“There was no lack of effort or character to come back from 24-0 down and everyone feels the frustration of simple things letting us down,” Terrace coach Schultz said.

“Louis had a big game for us with his strong ball-carries and on-ball presence.”

Brisbane State High 43 (A So’oalo 3, S Sili 2, C Staal, LTuimavave tries; M Jones 4 con) bt Gregory Terrace 31 (Q Siolo, E Treasure, B McMahon, E Amituanai, R Slevin tries; Q Siolo 3 con)