Round 2 vs Norths Match Report

by Ben Mitchell

Round 2 – GPS vs Norths. Saturday 17th April, Hugh Courtney Oval

A confident GPS side head to Hugh Courtney Oval looking to make it two from two to start the young season. However, the Norths Eagles will prove a tough opponent at home, donning the retro striped 80s kit in hopes of winning their first match of the season.

GPS found themselves on the attacking lineout after Norths conceded an offside penalty deep in their 22. The Gallopers drove a rolling maul toward the line, with Freddy Burke falling just short. The ball shortly found AJ Alatimu in the middle of the pitch, who launched a missile cut-out pass to left winger Maaloga Konelio, beating the Eagles winger and fullback to score the first try.

Norths showed tremendous resilience, quickly winning the ball back off the kick-off and stringing together several progressive phases. They found themselves with an attacking five metre lineout. The rolling maul didn’t quite reach, but a powerful pick and drive from Captain Paulo Leleisiuao beat the tackle attempt of Matt Gicquel to send him over. Jacob Prideaux converted, 7-7 after 14 minutes.

From this point until the end of the first half, the GPS forward pack took complete control. They pushed back the Norths pack constantly, forcing a number of penalties. Eagles loosehead prop Dane Zander saw yellow from referee Brett Cronan for continual angling at the scrum.

Despite the dominance and the extra man advantage, the score remained even at the half-time hooter, both teams plagued with handling errors.

Both teams approached the second half looking to gain control. The early stampede by the Gallopers paid dividends in the 44th minute, as a knock-on by Norths winger Veresa Mataitini gifted Captain Michael Richards the ball in full stride to the line, cruising over for his second try of the season.

Norths fired back, maintaining the majority of territory and possession up until the 61st minute, where they found themselves 5 metres out with an attacking lineout. Reserve half back Lachlan Howell spotted a gap in the GPS defence at the ruck, diving over. Two successive penalties led to reserve Nick Richards receiving a yellow card, giving Norths an extra man and a 14-12 lead.

GPS knew they had to dig deep. Off another authoritative Gallopers scrum, half back Josh Vuta fired a pass to fast moving AJ Alatimu, who steamrolled his opposite number Prideaux and several other Eagles over the line, swinging the lead back to GPS 19-14 with 13 minutes to play.

Norths right winger Shai Wiperi was sent to the sidelines with a yellow card for a no arms tackle on Alatimu. Nick Richards returned from the sin bin, stealing the extra man advantage back.

The Gallopers controlled the tempo from here, drawing a penalty just outside the Eagles 22 and setting up Jason Hofmeyr with the kick to seal it. He kicked it beautifully off the tee for 3. Final score: GPS 22, Norths 14.

Special mention must go to the GPS men in the engine room. The front row of Jethro Felemi, Matt Mafi and Fred Burke, alongside locks Tuaina Tualima and Oliver Bartlett, led the forward pack to massive scrum wins. Inside flanker Ratu Vio and outside centre Chris Kuridrani were electric with the pill, gaining plenty of metres after contact.