Griffith University Colleges defeat Surfers Paradise in Gold Coast District Rugby Union final

GRIFFITH University Colleges have hung on for a breakthrough Gold Coast District Rugby Union premiership, ending Surfers Paradise’s reign in a 24-13 victory.

Colleges and Surfers captains Troy Hobbs and Andy Finn with the premiership trophy pre-match. Picture: Glenn Hampson

GRIFFITH University Colleges have hung on for a breakthrough Gold Coast District Rugby Union premiership, ending Surfers Paradise’s reign in a 24-13 victory.

The Knights jumped ahead 10-0 when inside centre James Uhatafe scored five minutes before the half-time buzzer.

With their playing coach Kris Burton hanging up the boots after the game, Surfers hoped to turn the tables in the second term with the wind now behind them but were too often trapped in their own half.

Surfers prop Peryhn Martin is tackled. Picture: Jerad Williams

The teams traded a pair of penalty goals to reach 16-6 before a converted try to Surfers outside centre Dalin Sharrock set up a tense finish in front of a big crowd at Bond Pirates.

But Colleges took full advantage of a turnover soon after, with winger Pila Fifita barging his way over to score in the right corner and put his former club back under pressure.

Dalin Sharrock’s second half try could not quite lift his side to victory. Picture: Jerad Williams

Uhatafe missed the sideline conversion but later kicked a penalty to put the icing on the cake.

Surfers were left to rue a string of yellow cards, including to Lachlan Currie and Andy Finn.

The result puts an end to the Dolphins’ dominance of the competition, having gone through the previous two seasons undefeated, and marks a case of third time lucky for Colleges.

The Knights had not won a top grade title since 1996.

In the lower grades, Nerang defeated Colleges 26-21 in seconds after the Knights had pipped Celtic 18-16 in thirds.