Round 12 vs Easts Match Report
by Ben Mitchell
Round 12 – GPS vs Easts
Allsports Physiotherapy Hospital Challenge Cup
Saturday 26th June, Ashgrove Sports Ground, Yoku Road, Ashgrove
GPS are back at Yoku Road to take on the Easts Tigers, aiming to sweep the season series after winning 25-19 back in round 3. The Gallopers have played some of their best footy in recent weeks, beating Souths 47-20 in round 10 and dominating Norths 58-17 in round 11, hoping to produce a similar performance against the Tigers.
Points were few and far between in the first half. GPS fly half Mitchell Treleaven kicked a simple penalty in the 11th minute, putting his side up 3-0. The Gallopers didn’t see points again until the end of the half, when Patrick Nicholson broke through the heart of the defence with a darting run. He delivered an offload to Centre Maaloga Konelio, who found a wide open Matt Gicquel on the left wing for an easy try. Treleaven was unable to convert a difficult kick, keeping the score at 8-0 going into half time.
Easts had minimal attacking opportunities in the first half, being shut out by the Gallopers. Fly half Lachlan Kirk hit the upright on a penalty kick in the 27th minute, missing points on the Tigers only scoring opportunity.
The GPS scrum also flexed their muscle over the Tigers, winning two key scrum battles late in the first half, backed up only 5 metres out from their own line. These were big momentum swinging plays, and demoralised the attacking confidence of Easts.
GPS were the first to break through in the second half, off the back of quick ball movement from the ruck, speeding up the Tigers defence. Lock Tuaina Tualima dished off a timely offload to Mitch Treleaven, who released the ball to Matt Gicquel, running over three Easts defenders from 10 metres out to score a fantastic try. Reserve half back and Rebels star James Tuttle slotted the conversion to follow, extending the Gallopers lead to 15-0 with 26 minutes to play.
Mitchell Treleaven was sin binned in the 62nd minute for a deliberate knockdown on a Tigers line break, giving Easts a golden opportunity to claw their way back into the game.
The Gallopers were able to hold strong and keep the Tigers out despite being down a man. GPS were actually afforded the next scoring opportunity, where James Tuttle unfortunately hit the upright on a penalty kick 22 metres out, the score stagnating at 15-0 with 9 minutes remaining.
Easts were finally able to find the try line late in the second half, as winger Shane Kennedy went over in the right corner off the back of a timely pass from full back Jack Frampton. The Tigers couldn’t convert the try, leaving the score at 15-5 with 2 minutes to go.
The game would shortly conclude after the Easts try, the score reading 15-5, GPS coming out victorious and moving to 10-1 on the season. The Gallopers were close to shutting out the Tigers, behind solid tackling from the backs on Easts line breaks, and dominant scrummaging from the forwards, halting the attacking advance of the Tigers on several occasions.
Several players stood out for GPS in this game, none more than flanker Matt Gicquel, who snagged both of the Gallopers tries and won big turnovers at the ruck in the second half, frustrating the Easts attack. Fullback Patrick Nicholson also had his best game of the season, displaying his fast wheels on GPS line breaks, and making impressive one-on-one tackles as the last line of defence.
The Gallopers next hit-out will be against the Sunnybank Dragons away from home at Biggs Field. GPS are hot on UQ’s tail for that first place position, and are looking to make it 6 wins in a row, so make the drive to Sunnybank and support the Gallopers men to another win!