Round 4 vs Sunnybank Match Report

by Ben Mitchell

Round 4 – GPS vs Sunnybank. Saturday 1st May, Ashgrove Sports Ground, Yoku Road, Ashgrove

GPS made their long-awaited return home after two hard-fought wins on the road, matching up against a tough opponent in the Sunnybank Dragons.

Before fans had gotten seated, GPS were off to the races. Centre Chris Kuridrani dished a timely offload to winger Emori Waqavulagi who blitzed through three Sunnybank tackle attempts and ran the entire length of the field for the first try. Fullback Jason Hofmeyr quickly converted, GPS up 7-0 after 5 minutes.

GPS kept the pressure on, as a scrambling Dragons defence gave up an offside penalty in front of the posts. Hofmeyr kicked it through, 10-0 ten minutes in.

Sunnybank controlled the tempo well for the next 10 minutes, forcing the Gallopers to commit two penalties in kicking range for fly-half Hayden Sargeant. He converted both, bringing his team back to 10-6 after 20 minutes.

The GPS scrum came alive, winning a turnover and a penalty. A long cut out pass from fly-half AJ Alatimu found Waqavulagi, who covered 20 metres before being tackled 5 metres out. Gallopers forwards ran several pick-and-drives, and lock Oliver Bartlett burst through two tacklers to place the ball on the line. GPS led 15-6 at half time.

The Gallopers came out in the second half with even more intensity, applying heavy pressure in the Sunnybank 22. The Dragons defence caved, and the ball found its way out to Waqavulagi who stepped past the defender to walk in untouched for a second try. GPS led 22-6.

In the 50th minute, coach Shane Arnold made a complete front row swap to bring in Felemi, Mafi and Burke. Alongside them, the Rebels duo of halfback James Tuttle and Wallabies star Dane Haylett-Petty came onto the field. This was the first action Haylett-Petty had seen for 6 months, resting from several concussion injuries.

GPS stole the ball from a Sunnybank lineout. It found the dangerous Chris Kuridrani, who goose-stepped past his defender and delivered a beautiful no-look flick pass to reserve winger Niven Longopoa for an easy try in the corner. The score read 27-6 with 21 minutes left.

After two yellow cards were given out to both sides following a quick scuffle, the ball found GPS deep in their own territory. Haylett-Petty received it from the ruck and booted a massive kick downfield. The ball rolled 20 metres before being fumbled by Dragons reserve winger Connor Mulhearn straight into Haylett-Petty's hands. He dished the offload from his knees to Longopoa who raced over for his second try. GPS led 32-6.

Sunnybank still had fight left, driving a rolling maul through the Gallopers defence to score, number eight Jeffrey Faamausili claiming the honours. The lead was shortened to 32-11 in the 78th minute, and that is how it finished. GPS took their fourth win in a row.

The forward pack displayed their dominance in the scrum again. Outside centre Chris Kuridrani was unstoppable, delivering three try assists. First-grade debutant Emori Waqavulagi was scary quick on the wing, earning a double on the day. Reserve winger Niven Longopoa also scored a double off tremendous individual efforts from Kuridrani and Haylett-Petty.