Round 16 vs UQ Match Report
by Ben Mitchell
Round 16 – GPS vs University of Queensland
Allsports Physiotherapy Hospital Challenge Cup
Saturday 24th July, University of Queensland Football Ground, St Lucia
A big crowd filled the grounds as 2nd place GPS arrived at St Lucia to take on undefeated and competition favourites University of Queensland. The Gallopers only defeat of the season was to the Red Heavies back in round 7, falling 42-21. There was much to play for in the rematch, as GPS would take home the Bunter Bowl and the Welsby Cup with a victory, along with momentum going into finals time.
The match got off to a very scrappy start, with both teams losing the ball on several occasions. GPS dominated possession and territory, however, keeping the ball in UQ’s half for most of the first 20 minutes. GPS were finally able to string a few passes together and found themselves only metres out. Lock Tuaina Tualima scooped the ball up from the ruck and bowled his way over defenders for a try. Fly Half Jason Hofmeyr slotted the simple conversion, putting the Gallopers up 7-0 after 20 minutes.
Disaster would strike in the 25th minute when fullback Patrick Nicholson received a yellow card, a result of too many penalties piling up for GPS. The pressure of the Red Heavy attack continued to wreak havoc on the Gallopers, but in the 32nd minute, GPS drew a much-needed scrum penalty. Hofmeyr booted the ball downfield, and by some miracle, GPS had survived the lengthy UQ onslaught.
Right on the death of the first half, prop Emosi Tuquri fell victim to another yellow card, collapsing the attacking maul of UQ. With the extra man advantage, UQ would need 7 minutes of extra time before finding a gap in the Gallopers defence. Fullback Mac Grealy found centre Lukas Ripley on the left, who cut back inside to score the try. Winger Kye Oates made easy work of the conversion and tied the game 7-7 going into halftime.
GPS, down a man starting the second half, needed to get off to a good start to stifle the momentum UQ found late in the first. The Gallopers did just that as they were on the attack straight from the kick-off. Halfback James Tuttle grabbed the ball from the ruck looking for a receiver but instead slipped the tackle of a rushing defender and dove over the line for a try. Hofmeyr kicked another easy conversion, and put GPS back up 14-7 with only 3 minutes gone in the half.
The Gallopers forwards started to stamp their authority at scrum time following the score, after a tightly contested battle in the first half. GPS began to wear down the UQ forward pack and drew several scrum penalties leading to great field position. After multiple cracks at the line, Hofmeyr danced through a couple of defenders and was tackled just short. Captain Michael Richards quickly gathered the ball from the ruck and darted through a scrambling UQ defence. The tackle came too late, and Richards was able to reach over for a try, sealing a great team effort. Hofmeyr converted the score and sent GPS up 21-7 with 22 minutes remaining.
GPS were back in the UQ 22 only minutes later with an attacking lineout. They quickly formed the rolling maul and began their stampede. After marching 10 metres forward, UQ collapsed the maul to stop any further progression, but referee James Palmer was convinced of GPS’s chance to score and awarded the Gallopers a penalty try. UQ lock Conor-James Vest was yellow carded for collapsing the maul, giving GPS all the momentum late in the match. The score now red 28-7 with 16 minutes to play, and the Red Heavy fans were in disbelief.
Despite the lead building for GPS, the Red Heavies came out unfazed following the quick scores and earned an attacking scrum straight from the kick-off. Fly-half Bradley Twidale got the ball out to Lukas Ripley near the left-wing, speeding through a gap in the Gallopers defence. Ripley unloaded it to Kye Oates, who jostled his way past several defenders to score a try. Oates converted his own try and brought UQ back 28-14 with 13 minutes left.
The Red Heavies were back on the attack only minutes later, putting the pressure back on GPS to defend their line. Reserve prop Freddy Burke saw yellow after too many penalties piled up once again for the Gallopers. UQ was still unable to break through with the extra man advantage but forced James Palmer to pull out another yellow card against GPS reserve hooker Matthew Mafi, for slowing down the ball at the ruck.
With a 2 man advantage over the Gallopers, the Red Heavies were finally able to break through for a try, as Mac Grealy threw a dummy that pulled the defence forward, and sprinted through the hole for a try. Oates kicked the conversion, bringing UQ within one score of GPS 28-21. However, it was too little too late, as James Palmer blew the final whistle after the conversion, GPS winning 28-21 and pulling off the upset over UQ.
It was a massive team effort for the Gallopers in this one, exemplified by the second half scrum, which dominated UQ and helped set up GPS scoring opportunities. Halfback James Tuttle ran the ship masterfully, recycling the ball quickly from the ruck and finding the right receivers. Jason Hofmeyr controlled the territory game well for GPS, putting pressure on UQ inside their 22. Tuaina Tualima and Michael Richards ran the ball with ferocity throughout the match, both earning tries on the day.
GPS will battle Wests next weekend, in their last home hit-out of the regular season. The fan support was unreal against UQ away from Ashgrove, so let’s keep that going for the boys against the Bulldogs, as they continue to build momentum heading into the finals!