COVID Update
QRU and Senior Club Update - HERE
NOTE: The club is still contesting the Reserve Grade decision
Contact Anthony Herbert for more information aherbert@gpsrugby.com.au
Junior Club Update
Break-up moved to 27th August: 4 PM -8 PM
U6-U9 season finished
U10-U12 possible makeup games 29/8, 5/9 and 12/9
U13-U16 finals are to take place on 29/8, 5/9 and 12/9
Contact Matt Muller for more information mmuller@gpsrugby.com.au
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!
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!
Round 13 vs Sunnybank Match Report
by Ben Mitchell
Round 13 – GPS vs Sunnybank
Allsports Physiotherapy Hospital Challenge Cup
Sunday 4th July, TFH Biggs Field, Sunnybank
GPS suit up to play in the season’s first Sunday fixtures, on the road against the Sunnybank Dragons. The Gallopers came out victorious over the Dragons in their round 4 clash, winning 34-11 back at Yoku Road. Sunnybank will be looking to put together a solid performance against GPS, being beaten by Bond convincingly, 46-7 in round 12.
The Dragons were dealt a bad hand early in the match, winger Puni Aupuni was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Gallopers debutant winger Floyd Aubrey. GPS capitalised on this opportunity immediately. Flanker Matt Gicquel received the ball at the lineout and dished it quickly to Ratu Vio, who peeled off the maul and ran through two defenders for a try. Jason Hofmeyr hooked the first conversion off of the left upright, leaving the score at 5-0 with 15 minutes gone.
GPS were back on the attack only minutes later with a 5 metre lineout in the opposite corner. Lock Daniel Byrne skied high to snatch the lineout ball, exchanging it to Ratu Vio who bulldozed his way through several Dragon defenders. When his progression was halted, Matt Gicquel was able to seize the ball before the ruck was formed, pushing forward through three Sunnybank defenders to score a try. Hofmeyr was unable to acquire the target on the conversion, giving the Gallopers a 10-0 lead after 23 minutes.
GPS continued to keep the pressure on Sunnybank, retaining possession and making metres inside the Dragons 22. When Gicquel was tackled only metres out from the line, Maile Ngauamo raced to the ruck to be the next man to have a crack. He drove low and fought through three Sunnybank defenders to earn himself a try. To add salt to the wound, Dragons lock Nesetolio Solia was sin binned for another dangerous tackle, giving the Gallopers the extra man advantage for the second time. Hofmeyr struck the conversion with acute focus, and it sailed through the uprights, taking GPS’s lead to 17-0 with 9 minutes remaining in the first half.
Sunnybank looked primed to answer the Gallopers with a try in the 36th minute, but the GPS forwards held strong at scrum time and won a penalty only 5 metres out from their line. This allowed the Gallopers to gain some breathing room, and to set up their next attacking possession.
The GPS back line swung the ball from side to side in hopes to find a gap in the Sunnybank defence. After trying to penetrate near the left corner, half back James Tuttle quickly recycled the ball out to Jason Hofmeyr, who whipped a cut-out pass to full back Patrick Nicholson in acres of space. Nicholson made the right option in throwing one more pass to Matt Gicquel, who scored his easiest try of the season, and second of the match. Hofmeyr missed a difficult conversion near the sideline, giving GPS a 22-0 lead going into half time.
Sunnybank came out in the second half desperate for an answer to the dominant display GPS put together in the first half. They quickly found one in half back Neal McNamara, who fired a pass to fast moving centre Chris Feauai-Sautia bounding through a gap in the middle of the Gallopers defence. McNamara backed up the line break and received the ball from Feauai-Sautia, sending him under the posts for the Dragons first try. Fly half Liam McNamara converted the simple kick, bringing Sunnybank to 22-7 down in the 45th minute.
The Dragons were granted another scoring opportunity quickly after the try by winning a scrum penalty 30 metres out. Liam McNamara struck the ball beautifully off the tee, and inched Sunnybank closer as the score read 22-10 with 29 minutes remaining.
GPS now needed to dig deep against a rejuvenated Sunnybank side, who had shifted the game from a blow-out to a potential comeback. However, the Dragons efforts came to a screeching halt when hooker Daniel Anae was shown yellow for a no arms tackle on Ratu Vio, shifting the momentum completely back to the Gallopers.
GPS Winger Mitchell Treleaven wasted no time in seizing the extra man advantage. Liam McNamara kicked an ill-advised grubber within his own 22, which found its way into the hands of Treleaven with room to work with. Treleaven had space in front of him, and a favourable two on one matchup with centre Chris Kuridrani to his right. Treleaven however needed no support, as he dummied McNamara and darted through a hole for a try. Hofmeyr nailed the conversion, sending GPS back to a 29-10 lead with 11 minutes left.
The Gallopers were back moments later with a 5 metre attacking lineout, set up with another display of dominant scrummaging by the forward pack. Captain Michael Richards released the ball quickly to Tuttle, who swung the ball to Ratu Vio with the try line in sight. Vio literally rumbled through 5 Sunnybank defenders to score his second try of the match, with assistance from the forwards to push him over. New kicker James Tuttle made easy work of the conversion, taking GPS out to a considerable 36-10 lead with 3 minutes remaining.
With no hope of overcoming this deficit, Sunnybank valiantly claimed their own kick-off in hopes of scoring some last ditch points. The ball hastily found its way out to Puni Aupuni on the right wing with gas to burn. Flanker Joseph Faulalo supported Aupuni all the way to the try line, where he received a well-timed offload and dove over for a try. Liam McNamara was unable to convert the kick, concluding the match with GPS winning 36-15 over the Dragons.
The Gallopers flankers, Ratu Vio and Matt Gicquel were dominant throughout, both scoring two tries and playing instrumental roles in the running game. Jason Hofmeyr made a massive amount of kicking metres, which set up GPS with favourable attacking positions for their set plays. Once again, the Gallopers forward pack did what they do best, overwhelm the opposing team at scrum time, drawing several penalties.
GPS return home to Yoku Road next week to battle it out against Bond University, who sit 3rd on the table and have looked dangerous throughout the season. If you can, come down to Ashgrove Sports Ground and back your Gallopers men as they look to push their impressive win streak out to 7!