Round 14 vs Bond Uni Report
by Ben Mitchell
Round 14 – GPS vs Bond University
Allsports Physiotherapy Hospital Challenge Cup
Saturday 10th July, Ashgrove Sports Ground, Yoku Road, Ashgrove
GPS are back home to battle the Bond University Bull sharks, on a sunny but very windy afternoon. The Gallopers got the better of Bond in their first meeting, winning 34-22, and will look to reproduce the same result in front of their fans. Bond are coming off a bye week, so they’ll be well-rested and eager to end the 6-game win streak GPS are on.
The visiting Bull sharks got off to a great start. Centre Dan Boardman was able to beat Chris Kuridrani speeding out for a tackle, and found a gaping hole in the GPS defensive line. He shot through the gap and found fullback Byron Hutchinson in support, gliding over for a try near the left corner. Fly half James Ambrosini was unable to hit the conversion in windy conditions, leaving the score at 5-0, Bond leading after 6 minutes.
Before the Gallopers could catch a breath, Bond were back on the front foot only minutes later. Half back Spencer Jeans scooped the loose ball from the ruck and fired it to winger Dion Samuela. He drew in several defenders with his fast feet, and threw a dummy which faked out both Konelio and Kuridrani, leaving a hole for Samuela to dart through for a try. Ambrosini was again unsuccessful with the conversion, the score reading 10-0 Bull sharks after 13 minutes.
GPS were in desperate need of a response to the quick punch dealt by Bond, and their forwards provided the answer. From 30 metres out, the Gallopers formed their rolling maul from the lineout, and began their stampede toward the try line. As Ratu Vio was near falling over the line, Bond flanker Dylan Rowe collapsed the maul to halt their progression. GPS were awarded a penalty try by referee Jordan Way, and Rowe was yellow carded for his sinical play.
The Gallopers now held the momentum and the extra man advantage, and wasted no time getting back to work. Off the back of a lineout turnover by Bond, GPS were able to inch their way closer to the line. Half back James Tuttle recycled the ball quickly to Jason Hofmeyr, who delivered a cut-out pass to Floyd Aubrey near the wing. Aubrey engaged his defender, and threw a ridiculous behind the back offload to Mitchell Treleaven for a try. Hofmeyr slotted a fantastic kick near the sideline, giving GPS a 14-10 lead with 23 minutes gone.
Bond were able to stem the bleeding with a successful Byron Hutchinson penalty kick in the 26th minute, but that didn’t stop the advance of GPS. Captain Michael Richards was able to wrangle in some scrappy play by both sides, ending up with the ball 5 metres out from the try line. Hofmeyr received it from the ruck and saw numbers to his left, delivering a perfect cut-out pass to Patrick Nicholson in a two-on-one situation. Nicholson made the unselfish extra pass to Floyd Aubrey, who went over untouched for a try. The wind grabbed Hofmeyr’s kick and flung the ball to the left, GPS now leading 19-10 with 11 minutes left in the first half.
The Bull sharks had the last laugh however, well into first half extra time. They manufactured a powerful maul only 5 metres out, and the Gallopers were unable to withstand their push, number eight Declan Dinnen claiming honours for a great team try. Hutchinson couldn’t find the target on the conversion, leaving GPS with a slim 19-18 lead at the halftime break.
GPS were first to notch some points in the second half. Reserve hooker Maile Ngauamo held the ball tight at the back of the Gallopers rolling maul as they marched toward the line. Bond fell apart under the pressure and Ngauamo dove over for the try. Hofmeyr narrowly missed a difficult conversion, but GPS now led 24-18 over Bond, with 29 minutes left to play.
After back and forth play by both sides, GPS found themselves with the attacking scrum 5 metres out. The Gallopers forwards really started applying pressure on the Bond forwards, racking up consecutive scrum penalties and flexing their dominance. Referee Jordan Way lost his patience by scrum number 4 and awarded GPS their second penalty try of the game, putting them up 31-18 with 14 minutes remaining.
The Gallopers maintained most of the possession for the remainder of the game, and were rewarded with a successful penalty kick by reserve fly half Sebastian Ward, putting GPS up 34-18 with 3 minutes left. They were now well and truly out of the reach of a Bond comeback.
Despite this, the Bull Sharks fought until the very end, and a slick grubber kicked by Dion Samuela sent Captain Dan Boardman over for a try in the left corner. Hutchinson was unable to kick the conversion, and concluded the game’s action with the score reading 34-23, GPS coming out on top.
No one player stood out for the Gallopers during the match, but it was rather a collective effort that got them the win. The GPS forwards showcased their class at scrum time and the rolling maul, being rewarded with two penalty tries. On the other hand, the backs were clinical in executing their set pieces, being able to recycle the ball quickly from the ruck and finding their wingers with effective cut-out passes.
GPS will be out of action this weekend due to a bye, but will be recovering and preparing for their top of the table clash with University of Queensland in round 16. The Gallopers will be on the road to take on the Red Heavies, so make the trip to St Lucia and help the men deliver UQ’s first defeat of the season!