Round 11 vs Norths Match Report

by Ben Mitchell

Round 11 – GPS vs Norths. Saturday 19th June, Ashgrove Sports Ground, Yoku Road, Ashgrove

GPS return home to Yoku Road to battle it out against the Norths Eagles, coming out victorious in their round 2 matchup, 22-14. The crowd as per usual came out in great numbers and made their presence felt, cheering their Gallopers side on who sit comfortably in second place on the table.

Norths fly half Jacob Prideaux kicked the proceedings off early with a successful penalty in the 3rd minute, putting his side up 0-3.

The Gallopers responded immediately, executing a set piece from an attacking scrum 22 metres out. Chris Kuridrani delivered the ball to left winger Mitchell Treleaven who darted through a wide open gap in the Norths defence, going over untouched in the left corner. Jason Hofmeyr was able to navigate the strong winds and nail the conversion near the sideline, putting GPS up 7-3 after 6 minutes.

The next 20 minutes saw both sides go back and forth, seldom breaking the advantage line. Try scorer Mitchell Treleaven saw a yellow card in the 21st minute for a deliberate knockdown.

Despite the disadvantage, GPS would be next to find the line in the 26th minute, as Norths came out in an interesting defensive formation at the scrum that left fullback Patrick Nicholson wide open on the left wing. Right winger Josh Collins easily blew by his defender and dished it out to Nicholson, going over untouched. The score sat 12-3 after 27 minutes.

Nicholson wasn’t done there, going over for his second try only minutes later. Centre Maaloga Konelio dived on the loose ball spilled by Norths, and popped up a nifty offload to Nicholson who was now on the right wing with the try line in sight. He blew by three defenders and dove over. The score stood 17-3 after 30 minutes.

Norths found a much needed score right on half time, as centre Vilikesa Raboiliku received the ball from halfback Connor O’Regan at full pace, easily fending off Josh Collins and going over for his team’s first try. Jacob Prideaux converted and narrowed the score to 17-10 at the break.

The Gallopers punched back early in the second half, as Michael Richards drew in the defence and dished a timely short pass to lock Tuaina Tualima, who burst through the guts of the defence for a try next to the posts. GPS led 24-10 with 8 minutes gone in the half.

Norths winger Kyle Foxwell was shown yellow in the 50th minute for a deliberate knockdown. As a result, Josh Collins went over for a try in the corner Foxwell was protecting, only moments later. Konelio whipped a cut out pass to Collins near the sideline, who beat the first defender with a silky stop and go move. The score read 29-10 with 27 minutes to play.

Although down a man, the Eagles fought back, as Connor O’Regan smartly attacked the line from the penalty mark. After gaining 20 metres before being tackled, he passed from the ground to centre Kenneth Taviri, who found acres of room and went over unscathed. Prideaux converted, bringing the score back to 29-17 with 29 minutes remaining.

GPS took it to another level from here. Centre Chris Kuridrani and reserve hooker Maile Ngauamo scored in quick succession to push the lead out to 41-17 with 16 minutes left. Kuridrani received a great pass from Josh Collins to go over under the posts, whilst a little trickery at the GPS lineout saw Ngauamo score in the corner.

Coach Shane Arnold rolled in the substitutions. Reserve winger and crowd favourite Douglas Rayment capitalised, scoring two tries in a matter of minutes. He ran through three defenders for his first, and for his second found himself on the end of an excellent line break from flanker Matt Gicquel. The score read 51-17 with 6 minutes to play.

The Gallopers went over for their 10th try right on the 80th minute. Sebastian Ward dished the inside ball to Mitchell Treleaven, bouncing his way over for his second of the match. Ward converted for his first points at senior level, concluding the game 58-17.

Maaloga Konelio was in the middle of everything GPS ran at second receiver, earning two try assists. Josh Collins was electric with his feet, earning a try and two assists. Tuaina Tualima and Michael Richards were both forces with ball in hand. As per usual, Matt Gicquel was a pest at the ruck, winning two turnovers.