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GPS Rugby: Nudgee College v TSS in GPS decider

NUDGEE has won a thrilling GPS decider fending off a brave comeback by The Southport School which saw scores level with minutes to go. 

Jim Tucker and Tanya Westthorp
2 min read
September 15, 2018 - 3:49PM
GPS rugby Nudgee v TSS at Ross Oval, Nudgee College. Pic Mark Cranitch.
GPS rugby Nudgee v TSS at Ross Oval, Nudgee College. Pic Mark Cranitch.

NUDGEE College needed to repel a rousing five-try comeback to clinch an epic GPS schools rugby premiership on Saturday through the finishing polish of wing flyer Jangala Bennet.

Most in the raucous crowd of more than 7000 thought the trophy could be sent to the engravers at half-time when Nudgee led 24-0 but no one told the 15 fighters from The Southport School.

The decider was turned into a classic worthy of two unbeaten schools because TSS stirred such a surge that the scores were locked at 29-all with seven minutes to play.

GPS rugby Nudgee v TSS at Ross Oval, Nudgee College. Pic Mark Cranitch.
GPS rugby Nudgee v TSS at Ross Oval, Nudgee College. Pic Mark Cranitch.

Enter Bennet. The nimble indigenous match-winner had enjoyed a stellar GPS season but no try was more important than his 15th with three minutes to play. 

Standout centre Josh Flook had dabbed through a perfect grubber kick which Bennet calmly sweated on until the ball bounced just right for him to collect and plunge over in the corner.

Nudgee v TSS in pictures
GPS rugby Nudgee v TSS at Ross Oval, Nudgee College. Harry Vella (Nudgee #1 with the ball). Pic Mark Cranitch.
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FULL TEAM LINE UPS

It was pulsating stuff all the way with 10 tries, an astonishing shift of momentum, a superb attacking mindset for the full 70 minutes and impressive performers everywhere in the final game for their schools.

"There's just a huge sense of pride because there wasn't a moment where I thought we'd lose because of all that the boys put in," Nudgee captain Harry Vella said.

"Full credit to TSS for pushing us to the limit but I knew if we got the ball back and the momentum at the end we'd score."

Nudgee's Ross Oval was awash with rugby's spirit even before kick-off when the Second XVs of both schools locked arms in a circle and fans raised an arm of support for neck injury boy Alexander Clark, who watched the match via live stream from his hospital bed. 

"I've visited Alex in hopsital a few times and how he's handled his situation and the fight he's showing is an absolute credit and there's part of him in this win," Vella said of the Year Nine schoolboy.

In the first half, no try was better than when Flook timed a perfect angled run off a jinking Trezman Banjo to score for 24-0.

TSS coach Mike Wallace has empowered his boys to adapt on the run all season and they did with a more direct style to open the second half after being swamped at the breakdown and by bullocking No.8 Bailey Tautau in the first half.

Fullback Dion Samuela had his best game of the season with two quick tries and rumbling 125kg No.8 Reno Gerrard bulldozed over for two himself in a display that should alert professional team scouts.

The 100th year of the GPS Association got the rugby finale it deserved and Nudgee celebrated a 42nd premiership as the dominant power.

NUDGEE COLLEGE 34 (J Bennet, C Manu, J Flook, R Pasitoa, H Vella tries; J Pasitoa 3 conv, pen goal) bt THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOL 29 (R Gerrard 2, D Samuela 2, H Roberts tries; C Parata 2 conv)

Re-watch the live stream here and see how the game unfolded through our live blog coverage below

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/rugby/gps-rugby/gps-rugby-nudgee-college-v-tss-in-grand-final/live-coverage/cb4b7ac5e93620638e6b7b110c206a66