Hospital Challenge Cup: Five things we learned from Round 4

The Reds’ clash against the Lions will carry a “Rugby Family” theme as the team celebrate all things grassroots rugby. Check out the five things we learned from Round 4 of club rugby.

Ruan Smith at Queensland Reds training. Photo: AAP

1. Rugby Family Round theme to carry into club Rugby

The St. George Queensland Reds’ clash against the Lions this weekend will carry a “Rugby Family” theme as the team celebrate all things grassroots rugby.

As part of the promotion, the players will be wearing either club or schools socks in the match.

Reds player Ruan Smith in his club kit.

Queensland Rugby Union are extending the theming into club Rugby, which will this weekend be played on Sunday, with players from all grades invited to wear the socks from their junior club, country club or school, in celebration of their own rugby pathway.

Players participating in the promotion are asked to share a photo of them in their chosen socks, using the hashtag #RugbyFamily to help in the celebration of grassroots rugby.

2. Bunter Bowl finds it’s third home at Tigerland

Bond University’s opening of their brand new clubhouse shaped as a big weekend for the Gold Coast club, after knocking off University of Queensland at St. Lucia the week before to claim the Bunter Bowl.

Easts came with a plan to spoil the party however, which they carried out by scoring four unanswered tries.

Easts Tigers celebrate

The True Protein High Performer of the round and Easts captain Matt Gordon led from the front, while the forwards got through a mountain of work with hooker Andrew Ready and lock Tyrell Barker both crossing for first-half tries.

The Tigers got out to a 24-nil lead, before two late tries from Bond in the final 10 minutes prevented Easts from claiming the bonus point.

The win saw the Tigers become the third club to hold the Bunter Bowl so far this season, and they’ll have to defend when they host Sunnybank in the annual Rick Tyrrell Cup clash this Sunday.

3. UQ don’t take a loss at home lightly

After suffering their first loss at home since Round 1 of 2016 last weekend, the Red Heavies bounced back in fantastic fashion, claiming a 56-17 win over Sunnybank at Oldmac Oval.

The Students outscored the Dragons eight tries to three, with winger Will Eadie crossing for a hat-trick and flanker Wyatt Setu scoring a brace of tries.

James Dalgleish was on point with the boot, slotting all eight conversions.

The win saw UQ climb to second on the ladder, while Sunnybank fell from the top of the table to third.

4. Magpies soar to the top of the ladder

Souths continued their winning ways on the weekend, registering a 29-19 win over Brothers to claim their third victory on the trot.

Jayden Ngamanu scored a brilliant chip-and-chase solo try while Fijian flyer Emori Waqavulagi crossed for a double, with Souths outscoring Brothers four tries to three.

Quade Cooper directed play while fullback Jason Hofmeyr slotted three conversions and a penalty to keep pressure on the scoreboard.

While Souths have won every game so far, they have developed a habit of letting their opposition back into the game in the second half.

They got out to a 24-nil lead at halftime before Brothers bounced back to cross for three tries in the second stanza, narrowing the scoreline.

Souths will head to Sci-fleet Stadium this weekend to take on Wests in the Round 5 match of the round.

5. Norths pip Bulldogs at the post

A second-half onslaught from Norths has delivered the club their first win of the season, a 31-28 victory over Wests.

After trailing 18-7 at halftime, three tries in the second stanza and the accurate boot of Nick Jooste secured the win for the Eagles.

Duncan Paia’aua featured at inside centre, and had a hand in some brilliant attacking plays, supported well by outside centre Conor Chittenden and scrumhalf Nick Chapman.

Norths will have a tough task ahead of them this weekend as they host fierce rivals, and head coach Nick Fogarty’s former club, GPS, at Hugh Courtney Oval.

Originally published as Hospital Challenge Cup: Five things we learned from Round 4