Bond University Bull Sharks flyhalf Mitch Third kicks penalty goal in overtime to beat Easts 18-17

In one penalty kick, Mitch Third both breathed life into Bond University’s Queensland Premier Rugby season and silenced an Easts crowd that had been taunting him all afternoon.

IN one penalty kick, Mitch Third both breathed life into Bond University’s Queensland Premier Rugby season and silenced an Easts crowd that had been taunting him all afternoon.

The Bull Sharks headed north for a critical seventh versus sixth fixture on Saturday which took more twists and turns than the nearby Brisbane River.

Bond led 15-14 deep into the second half, only for Elijah Pilz to put the Tigers ahead with an 80th minute penalty from near the right sideline.

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There was still just enough time, however, for Bond to take the restart and before long they found themselves on the attack in overtime.

Joey Fittock was man of the match. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Their persistence was rewarded with a penalty of their own and it was Third who stepped up to take the kicking tee. The 23-year-old flyhalf calmly slotted the three points to seal an 18-17 victory that could well be season-defining for a side that is now just two points outside the top four.

“As a goalkicker, that’s what you love. Honestly when the penalty came I was sort of smiling and I was pretty happy because I like being in those types of situations,” Third said.

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“And the bloody Easts crowd was giving it to me the whole game … they were giving me so much grief so after I kicked the penalty goal I ran over and gave them the bird. It was pretty funny.”

Mitch Third. Picture: Scott Fletcher

Goalkicking has been an achilles heel for Bond this year but Third and captain Harry Nucifora – who passed on the kicking duties due to a knee issue – have vowed to work together to improve.

It could make all the difference in tight contests to come: The Bull Sharks lost their first three close scorelines but have won their past two.

Perhaps the most evident showing of the belief that is building within the playing group is the approach they took after falling behind in the dying minutes.

“To be completely honest, the boys were really confident that we could just find a way to win at the end there,” Third said.

Fullback Joey Fittock was named man of the match in a win that keeps the Bunter Bowl – obtained in their Round 12 victory against GPS – in Bond’s grasp for the time being.