Round 3 vs Easts Match Report

by Ben Mitchell

Round 3 – GPS vs Easts. Saturday 24th April, Bottomley Park Oval

The GPS men will be eyeing off an impressive 3-0 start as they come to Bottomley Park to match up with a formidable Easts Tigers side. The reigning champions on their home field will prove to be a tough matchup.

GPS looked dangerous in the early stages. The backs were running great routes, making positive metres each time. The forwards were having their way at scrum time, forcing Easts to concede a penalty right in front of the posts. Jason Hofmeyr guided it over for the first score, GPS up 3-0 after 8 minutes.

GPS continually drove the ball downfield with seamless set plays and determined runs. Josh Collins demonstrated tremendous pace on multiple occasions, as one of his offloads almost sent Teti Tela over for a corner try in the 20th minute. Easts conceded an offside penalty moments later, and Hofmeyr kicked the simple penalty, 6-0.

The Tigers bounced back, converting their first real attacking opportunity in the 23rd minute. A rolling maul from the lineout drove Easts close, and after a few pick and drives, number eight Henry Olsen found a crease in the GPS defence and barged over. Jack Frampton missed the conversion, 6-5.

The score remained 6-5 till halftime. Easts were fortunate not to be down by more as GPS showcased impressive linebreaks and dominant scrums, the only detriment being several handling errors.

GPS came out the aggressor to start the second half. A massive territory gainer from Hofmeyr and ferocious pick and drives almost set up a 44th minute try, but courageous Tigers defence held them up.

Minutes later, Tigers winger Max Baker broke away down the left sideline. Before GPS could recover, lock Mitchell Schneider snatched the ball from the ruck and used his size to reach over. Easts took the lead for the first time, 6-12, in the 49th minute.

A whole new front row was inserted for the Gallopers. This worked to perfection as GPS forced Easts to concede penalties on the next two scrums, setting up a lineout deep in Tiger territory. The rolling maul crashed over, lock Daniel Byrne coming up with the try. GPS led 13-12 with 19 minutes to play.

The scrum again proved the best weapon as GPS turned the ball over twice in back to back minutes. After a flurry of fast-paced pick and drives, replacement hooker Matthew Mafi scratched and clawed his way over three Tigers defenders, 20-12 with 11 minutes remaining.

Disaster struck in the 73rd minute, as Jason Hofmeyr saw yellow for deliberately knocking down a pass. He was the last defender in play, so referee Aaron Pook awarded a penalty try to the Tigers, 20-19 and a nail-biting finish.

Despite the extra man disadvantage, the Gallopers dug deep. The scrum proved the saving grace as they bullied Easts into conceding another penalty. GPS then drove down the field and set up a rolling maul close to the Easts line. All 14 men went into that maul and bulldozed over, replacement prop Jethro Felemi claiming honours. GPS won 25-19.

Special mention must go to the entire GPS forward pack for their dominance at scrum time, winning six penalties and two turnovers. The centre pairing of Teti Tela and Chris Kuridrani, with winger Josh Collins, devastated the Tigers defence.