GPS Rugby 2019: TSS triumph in potential title decider against BBC

The flawless goalkicking of TSS winger Hamish Roberts has delivered his school within a game of the GPS rugby trophy. TSS overcame a shaky start to triumph over Brisbane Boys’ College.

The Southport School have one hand on the GPS rugby trophy after surviving a shaky start to triumph over Brisbane Boys’ College, 23-20.

The flawless goalkicking of competition leading-pointscorer Hamish Roberts has delivered his school within a game of the trophy because his 13-points from the boot was the difference in the top of the table clash.

BBC outscored their visitors four tries to two but missed all four conversions when landing even two would have earned them the win.

GPS Rugby: Brisbane Boys' College v The Southport School at BBC Saturday 24th August 2019. (AAP Image - Richard Waugh)

Instead, Roberts calmly knocked over his third penalty of the match in the 67th minute to complete a remarkable comeback after trailing 15-3 at halftime.

BBC had gouged the TSS defence in a 10-minute first half blitz that left their fancied opposition rattled with a shot at the Premiership on the line.

Centre Lukas Ripley sliced through to score in the 10th minute shortly before bullocking prop Jake Tierney barrelled over the line to lead 10-3.

GPS Rugby: Brisbane Boys' College v The Southport School at BBC Saturday 24th August 2019. (AAP Image - Richard Waugh)

Melbourne Storm signing Jack Howarth then crossed for his first of two tries on the day in a compelling statement as the competition’s most dangerous attacking player.

TSS battened down the hatches to close out the half but converted an early raid in the second to points when Jojo Fifita finished off a Hamish Roberts linebreak.

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Recent Queensland Reds signing Wilson Blyth levelled scores at 15-all with a pick-and-drive try before another Roberts conversion edged TSS into the lead, 17-15.

Jack Howarth’s second try of the day from close range brought BBC ahead in the 53rd minute before TSS equalised through a second Roberts penalty moments later, bringing on a grandstand finish.

GPS Rugby: Brisbane Boys' College v The Southport School at BBC Saturday 24th August 2019. (AAP Image - Richard Waugh)

BBC were caught offside in the 65th minute and punished with a third Roberts penalty goal to fall behind 23-20.

A final raid to keep BBC’s Premiership destiny in their own hands resulted in heartbreak as a knock-on on fulltime brought about the end of the match.

The trophy is now Southport’s to lose because they need just one more win, against either Gregory Terrace (1-5) or Ipswich Grammar (3-3), to guarantee a share of the 2019 Premiership.

THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOL 23 (J Fifita, W Blyth tries; H Roberts 2 cons, 3 pens) def BRISBANE BOYS’ COLLEGE 20 (L Ripley, J Tierney, J Howarth (2) tries)

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Ipswich Grammar were dealt their third consecutive loss in an upset with Churchie on their return to their old playing ground on the school campus.

Churchie prevailed 24-22 in a scrappy affair that mirrored TSS’ win because flyhalf Sam Farrar was perfect from the tee while Ipswich’s one-from-four goalkicking cost them six critical points.

Rival halfbacks Kalani Thomas and Henry Wilson notched doubles while strong performances from Churchie rookies Max Craig at hooker and centre Larson Dale-Doyle were influential.

Toowoomba Grammar defended their home ground in a minor upset over visitors Brisbane State High, who scored their first win of the season last week.

Toowoomba improved to 2-3 on the season with a 26-10 win up the range with tries to Finley Whittle, Tim Fainga’anuku and a double to Allister Cameron.

Gregory Terrace earned their first win of the season in a 43-12 thumping of Brisbane Grammar.