Semi-Final vs West Match Report

by Ben Mitchell

Semi-Final – GPS vs Wests
Allsports Physiotherapy Hospital Challenge Cup
Sunday 29th August, Ashgrove Sports Ground, Yoku Road, Ashgrove

Yoku Road was packed to the rafters with rowdy GPS supporters, ready to watch the Gallopers and Wests Bulldogs battle it out for a grand final berth. The winner of this one faces the University of Queensland at Suncorp Stadium, 29-24 victors over Brothers the day prior.

The first 25 minutes of play belonged to the Wests Bulldogs, who came out with a ferocity that GPS simply couldn’t match. Reds Centre Isaac Henry settled Wests into the game with a penalty early on, which would lead to a barrage of points to follow.

Winger Benjamin Navosailagi cruised over untouched for a try in the corner, as the Bulldogs got the ball through hands beautifully. Henry would slot a difficult conversion near the sideline, putting Wests up 0-10 after 5 minutes.

Not too long later, Navosailagi would be gifted with his second try of the match, off the back of a horror knock-on by GPS fullback Patrick Nicholson. Henry once again converted the try and put his side up 3-17 with just 18 minutes elapsed.

Before the Gallopers could catch a breath, Wests were back and hungry for more. Fly-half Jason Hofmeyr attempted a clearing kick inside GPS’s 22, but Navosailagi was able to charge it down, the ball ricocheting towards the middle of the pitch. Hooker Ethan Dobbins alertly chipped the loose ball and retrieved it, dishing an offload to winger Ilikena Vudogo who darted through tacklers for a try. Henry converted the try, and GPS were left looking at a significant 3-24 deficit after 24 minutes.

GPS would find their feet however in the 30th minute, setting up their patented rolling maul in the left corner. Hooker Maile Ngauamo held onto the ball from the back and steamed over with his forwards for a try, as he has done so many times this season. Hofmeyr made quick work of the conversion, bringing the Gallopers back 10-24 going into the halftime break.

GPS would ride their late first-half momentum into the second, setting up another rolling maul for Maile Ngauamo. Wests valiantly held their ground for a few seconds, but the Gallopers forwards slowly began the march, eventually toppling through the Bulldogs defence for a try. Hofmeyr narrowly missed the conversion, leaving GPS at a 15-24 deficit with 5 minutes gone in the second half.

Wests would stymie the building energy of GPS by earning a scrum only 5 metres out from the try line. A near 7-minute scrum battle would ensue, both forward packs not relenting in their efforts to attack and defend. Eventually, halfback Joel Atkins said enough is enough and darted down the weakside for a try, swinging momentum back to the Bulldogs. Henry would miss the conversion, giving Wests a 15-29 buffer.

Before the Bulldogs could enjoy their two-try lead, GPS was back down the field in their favourite position, the rolling maul. This time it was flanker Matt Gicquel with the ball, peeling off the main maul looking to score. Hooker Ethan Dobbins brought down the secondary maul from an offside position, and GPS were awarded the penalty try. Dobbins was shown yellow for his cynical play, putting the Bulldogs in a precarious spot only up 22-29 with 20 minutes remaining.

The floodgates opened for GPS during this 10-minute window, as do-it-all flanker Matt Gicquel spotted a gap in the depleted Bulldogs defence, charging forward 15 metres before delivering a bullet pass to winger Mitchell Treleaven, who waltzed over the line for a try. Hofmeyr kicked the conversion, levelling the score 29-29 with 17 minutes left to play.

The Gallopers weren’t done there, knowing more points were left on the table. GPS quickly rolled forward to the 22-metre line, as halfback Josh Vuta was recycling the ball efficiently through rucks. Suddenly, Vuta cut back toward the left-wing and found speedster Josh Collins in full stride. Collins slipped past hapless defenders as they could do nothing but swipe the air around him on his way to a try. Hofmeyr was unable to kick the conversion, but GPS had secured a 34-29 lead for the first time in the match.

Isaac Henry would calm the nerves of the Bulldogs by slotting a penalty in the 68th minute, bringing Wests back 34-32 and keeping scoreboard pressure on GPS.

Wests would mount the pressure back on the Gallopers, retaining possession and stringing phases together in the GPS 22. Fullback Ilaisa Droasese would break the back of the defence, running by Josh Vuta and sucking in Patrick Nicholson to find a wide-open Navosailagi on the right-wing. The winger strolled in under the posts to secure his hat-trick and set up an easy conversion for Henry. Once the conversion was completed, Wests took back the lead 34-39 with 6 minutes remaining.

The tension was building at Yoku Road, anxious GPS supporters watched on as the magical season of the Gallopers may be coming to an end.

GPS, as they have all season, stared adversity in the face and were up to the challenge. The Gallopers stormed their way down the field and built 20+ phases against Wests only 5 metres from the line, who showed great determination keeping them out. The Bulldogs couldn’t hold on any longer, as Jason Hofmeyr rifled a pinpoint cut-out pass to Matt Gicquel on the wing, stepping his first defender and beating the second for a hard-fought try.

Elation flowed through Ashgrove Sports Ground, as the game-saving try sent the GPS supporters into hysterics, beer flying everywhere. Reality kicked back in, however, all eyes set on Jason Hofmeyr as he lined up the potential game-winning conversion.

Hofmeyr struck the ball smoothly off the tee and watched on as it sailed towards the posts. His arms, along with the fans behind him, shot up in excitement, knowing the ball was going nowhere but down the middle. The referee’s flags went up and the final whistle was blown, GPS coming out victorious 41-39 over Wests in a memorable semi-final finish.

The Gallopers faithful stormed the field and kicked off the celebrations, whilst Wests were left in dismay, wondering what could have been.

GPS now look toward the Grand Final on Sunday 5th September, up against the University of Queensland Red Heavies. These have been the two best sides in the competition, so watching these teams slug it out will be a treat for fans to see. The season series stands at 1-1, so both sides will come in producing their absolute best to claim the Hospital Challenge Cup.

The game will be held at Suncorp Stadium and kick-off at 1 pm. This is your chance to witness your Gallopers side make history, so grab your tickets and cheer on GPS as they fight for a Grand Final victory!