Season-shaping test as Brisbane Boys’ College faces TSS in Round 5

THE pacy attacking methods of Brisbane Boys’ College will face a season-shaping test on Saturday’s trip to The Southport School for a battle of undefeated teams in Round 5 of GPS rugby.

TSS fullback Dion Samuela scores to secure his team’s win over Brisbane Grammar. Picture: David Clark/AAP

THE pacy attacking methods of Brisbane Boys’ College will face a season-shaping test on Saturday’s trip to The Southport School for a battle of undefeated teams in Round Five of GPS rugby.

The TSS boys will have their minds sharpened after getting out of jail in a thriller against Brisbane Grammar last weekend.

TSS 25 bt Brisbane Grammar 20

At 20-all late in the game, Brisbane Grammar should have pulled off the upset of the season with a blustery wind behind them and a two-try rally already fuelling confidence.

All title-chasing teams need a shock to shake out any complacency and the TSS boys got theirs because only a try by impressive fullback Dion Samuela snatched this one.

“We always knew Brisbane Grammar were going to show up and I’m most proud that our defence set the tone late because they could have put another three tries on us,” TSS captain Tom Van der Schyff said.

Grammar No. 8 Oscar Skerman pinched a wonky TSS lineout throw at the back to set up a try for galloping lock Will Egan in the second half surge.

Hooker Tyrell Kopua’s two tries and workrate were vital for TSS.

Fullback Dion Samuela helped secure the win for The Southport School. Picture: David Clark/AAP

Nudgee College 62 bt Toowomba Grammar 10

Winger Jangala Bennet stepped into fly half for the final minutes and produced a dummy-and-dart for his hat-trick try against outgunned Toowoomba Grammar.

That’s eight tries in four games for the 80kg flyer who could not have done so without the impressive work up front in the pack.

The big ball-carries of backrower Bailey Tautau blasted big metres while fellow forwards Matt Engelbrecht and Charlie Hayes, before his shoulder injury, did plenty of the unsung work.

Backrower Dougal Gray competed hard in a beaten TGS pack.

BBC 55 bt Ipswich Grammar 12

The best showing of the season from BBC included more electric moments from indigenous winger Xavier Savage, who might still be learning the finer points of rugby’s laws but knows exactly where the tryline is.

Savage is a 10.7 sec sprinter over 100m and TSS would be wise to restrict his chances on Saturday.

Last weekend, the exploits of hat-trick centre Jack Howarth and two-try winger Shayden Stevens would not have been possible without the assertive play upfront by No. 8 Jack Kelly.

Kelly’s defence and the well-rounded play of fly half Carter Gordon caught the eye in the nine-try display.

BBC coach Shane Drahm is drilling an up-tempo, attacking style and new halfback Will Stevens added some extra energy.

Fullback Tom Casey’s evasive footwork again shone for Ipswich Grammar.

Churchie 24 bt Terrace 12

Churchie dug deep to surge home from a 12-10 deficit and big performances from Will MacPherson, John Paul Tominiko and Wayne Bilston were at the heart of it.

Flanker Connor McKinlay scored a key try and was part of a big defensive showing against a Terrace outfit which had plenty of chances.

Terrace backrower Will Roach sustained his excellent form while well-balanced Mayson Hill again proved himself one of the best outside centres in GPS rugby.

Terrace suffered when lineout trump Ben Clifford (bruised sternum) was forced off.

ON SATURDAY (Round 5, home team first): TSS v BBC, BSHS v TGS, Churchie v IGS, Terrace v BGS, NC-bye

LEADING POINTSCORERS

54: Campbell Parata (TSS)

44: Reesjan Pasitoa (NC)

40: Jangala Bennet (NC)

LEADING TRYSCORERS

8: Jangala Bennet (NC)

5: Zach Palmer (TSS), Xavier Savage (BBC), Trezman Banjo (NC)

GPS RUGBY POINTS TABLE (after Rd 4)

P W D L F A Pts

Nudgee College 4 4 0 0 199 50 8

The Southport School 4 4 0 0 167 42 8

Brisbane Boys’ College 3 3 0 0 108 47 6

Churchie 3 2 0 1 46 57 4

Toowoomba Grammar 3 1 0 2 50 155 2

Terrace 4 1 0 3 96 116 2

Ipswich Grammar 4 1 0 3 72 159 2

Brisbane State High 3 0 0 3 27 112 0

Brisbane Grammar 4 0 0 4 66 93 0