Round 8 vs Wests Match Report

by Ben Mitchell

Allsports Physiotherapy Hospital Challenge Cup
Saturday 29th May, Memorial Park, Sylvan Road, Toowong

Coming off the back of a hard-fought defeat to the University of Queensland, GPS will be raring to go for this battle against the Wests Bulldogs, who sit just one point behind on the ladder in 3rd place. Wests will be hard to beat away from home, only losing to the Souths Magpies at Sylvan road.

The Gallopers were off and running early in this one, almost scoring a try in the first 5 minutes off the back of a lethal Teti Tela stiff arm, leading to an impressive line break. This didn’t deter the boys from having another crack at the line as half back Josh Vuta fired a soaring cut-out pass to winger Josh Collins, standing in solitude near the sideline. He waltzed over for the simple finish and added try number 5 to his season total. Sharpshooter Jason Hofmeyr slotted the difficult conversion and put GPS up 7-0 after 8 minutes of action.

Before Wests could catch their breath, GPS was knocking on the door for a second try only minutes later. Another pinpoint cut-out from Josh Vuta found its way to an unmarked Teti Tela with nothing but the try line in front of him. Unfortunately, he was thinking try time a little to early and dropped the catch, granting the Bulldogs a giant break.

A bit of back and forth ensued after Tela’s try attempt gone begging. The Gallopers however found themselves 5 metres out with the attacking lineout, licking their lips at the prospect of a rolling maul. The ball was rifled in accurately by hooker Maile Ngauamo to Captain Michael Richards, skying in the air. Flanker Ratu Vio latched onto the ball and started his push forward, but no one from Wests was resisting, so he detached from the maul and flew over for an easy try. Hofmeyr was unable to convert, leaving the score 12-0 GPS after 22 minutes.

Gallopers lock Tuaina Tualima saw Yellow in the 28th minute, leaving GPS vulnerable for the remainder of the first half, giving the Wests Bulldogs an opportunity to capitalise. Fullback Mason Gordon found acres of room near the wing, slinging the ball out to winger Benjamin Navosailagi for the easy try in the corner. Only several minutes later, the Bulldogs were back on the attack, as a deflection from Ratu Vio fell in the hands of halfback Joel Atkins, who steamed his way over for the 5 points. Centre Byron Hutchinson converted one of the two scores, and knotted the game up 12-12 heading into half time.

The second half was a mirror image of the first for the Gallopers, starting hard and fast to put up early points. GPS had the lineout around the halfway line, the backs forming their set plays in the background. Reserve halfback Cullin Cooper-Jones dished the ball to first receiver Jason Hofmeyr, who quickly delivered the inside ball to Josh Collins, carving his way through the middle with room to run and gas to burn. After beating three Wests tackle attempts, he found a wide-open Hofmeyr to his right, cruising his way under the posts for a try. He converted his own try, and retained the lead for GPS 19-12 in the 49th minute.

Misfortune would strike again for the Gallopers, as openside flanker Matt Gicquel was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle, giving the Bulldogs a sniff at another try. Wests seized the opportunity immediately after the yellow card, as the weaker GPS maul couldn’t stop the Bulldogs from pushing forward. Hooker Ethan Dobbins peeled away to the right and crashed over for a try. Hutchinson converted his team’s score and levelled the game 19-19 with 26 minutes remaining.

Despite the Bulldogs score, and being a man down, GPS were back on the front foot and looking for more points. The ball quickly exited from the lineout to the raging bull that is Ratu Vio, picking up metres and bodies on his way forward. Cooper-Jones recycled the ball quickly from the ruck and found outside centre Chris Kuridrani, beating three defenders and falling under the posts for a try. Hofmeyr made no mistake with the conversion and sent the Gallopers up 26-19 with 23 minutes to play.

GPS wasn’t done there. Teti Tela decided to showcase some magic with an exceptional cross-field kick to winger Maaloga Konelio, catching the ball in full stride. He passed the ball back inside to fullback Patrick Nicholson, sprinting his way down the side-line to score a spectacular try in the corner. Hofmeyr slotted a difficult kick on the side-line, and showed the Bulldogs fans some appreciation as GPS sat comfortably up 33-19 with 17 minutes remaining.

Wests weren’t out of this game yet, earning an attacking lineout 5 metres out. The maul was unsuccessful, but after a few rucks the ball found its way to Mason Gordon, who showed a great dummy on reserve prop Fred Burke to find Byron Hutchinson uncovered for the try. Hutchinson was unable to convert his own try, keeping his team down two scores, 33-24, with 10 minutes left.

No more than a minute later, the Bulldogs were back for more. Reserve halfback Moses Sorovi quickly tapped the ball from the penalty mark and booted it downfield, the GPS men finding themselves out of position. The ball rolled for 10 metres before it found a hand, but the Gallopers there, Tualima and Kuridrani, were unable to recover it, and Wests winger Shea Lalagavesi scooped it up and dove over for a try. Hutchinson quickly converted the try, narrowing the GPS margin 33-31 with 7 minutes to play.

GPS in the final passage of the game managed to hold off the desperate Bulldogs side, and narrowly escaped with the victory, 33-31 when the final whistle blew. Wests dug deep to create such an exciting finish, almost earning themselves a comeback victory.

Several Gallopers were sensational on the day. Ratu Vio was a pest at the breakdown, drawing three ruck penalties and bulldozing his way through Bulldogs defenders with ball in hand. Teti Tela was clinical at the inside centre position, setting his teammates up masterfully for line break opportunities, and was unfortunate to not score a try himself. No one can look pass the efforts of Jason Hofmeyr, who kicked accurately off the tee, made smart decisions with ball in hand, and was rewarded with a well-earned try.

The Gallopers next opponent will be a formidable Brothers side, sitting middle of the table. The match is back home at Yoku road, and the men will be eager to avenge their one home loss of the season. Come down to Ashgrove Sports Ground and cheer on your Gallopers as they aim to move to 7-1 on the season!