Round 5 vs Bond Match Report

by Ben Mitchell

Round 5 – GPS vs Bond University. Allsports Physiotherapy Hospital Challenge Cup. Saturday 8th May, Bond University, Robina

Fans were ready for a mouth-watering game of footy as the undefeated GPS men travelled to the Gold Coast to take on an undefeated Bond side.

The action commenced quickly with Bull Sharks fly-half James Ambrosini kicking an early penalty, 3-0 after 4 minutes. The Gallopers countered, as centre Chris Kuridrani came screaming out of the line to smother Bond winger Dion Samuela, tackling him several metres back. Kuridrani pilfered the ball from his own tackle, and Captain Michael Richards slung the ball out from the ruck to Josh Collins, who glided past three defenders for a terrific opening try in the corner. Hofmeyr converted a difficult kick, 3-7 after 8 minutes.

Not long later, GPS lock Tuaina Tualima scooped up the ball from the ruck and crashed through multiple Bull Shark defenders for a try, off the back of excellent build-up play with the forwards involved in several pick and drives. The score read 3-12 with just 15 minutes gone.

Bond responded immediately with two sensational tries. Winger Dion Samuela chipped a ball over the top of the GPS defence, bouncing up perfectly for pacey fullback Joey Fittock who strolled in under the posts for his 5th try of the season. Shortly after, Samuela delivered an offload to partnering winger Jordan Kahu, who threw an unbelievable behind the back flick pass to the chest of centre Dan Boardman, falling over for a try. The score was 15-12 to Bond, 26 minutes in, and stayed that way to half time.

GPS flanker Ratu Vio was yellow-carded in the 35th minute for a dangerous tackle on Bond halfback Spencer Jeans, leaving the Gallopers with 14 men early in the second half.

Despite the disadvantage, GPS began to flex their muscles in the scrum. They bulldozed through the Bond forward pack in the 46th minute, earning a penalty and good field position. The Gallopers then had three consecutive rolling mauls, each earning a penalty. Referee Brett Cronan had enough by penalty number three, awarding a penalty try.

Only a few minutes later, GPS were back on the attack. Winger Emori Waqavulagi found a gap he could sliver through. Once tackled, he dished an offload to flanker Matt Gicquel who dived over. Hofmeyr converted, giving GPS a 15-26 lead.

The next 15 minutes showcased the tough, gritty defence that GPS possess, holding the Bull Sharks out on several attempts, all without inside centre Maaloga Konelio who was sin-binned for a high tackle. Eventually the defence broke, as fly-half James Ambrosini spotted numbers to his left and fired the ball to Captain Dan Boardman, who flew over untouched for his second. The score read 22-26 with 11 minutes left.

A minute after Bond’s try, the Gallopers were off and running. Josh Collins found himself with the ball in acres of space. He darted down the left sideline and delivered a timely pass inside to Matt Gicquel, who dragged his defender 10 metres to the try line, hanging on for dear life. The team swarmed an exhausted Gicquel. GPS led 22-31 with 8 minutes remaining.

The rabid GPS defence forced two fatal knock-ons late, setting up scrums for a formidable Gallopers pack. Scrum number two resulted in Bond conceding a penalty right in front, and Hofmeyr kicked it over. Final score: Bond 22, GPS 34.

Key performers were flanker Matt Gicquel, scoring two tries and being a presence at scrum time and in the breakdowns, and winger Josh Collins, making huge metres with ball in hand for a try and an assist. Special mention must be made for the team defence of GPS.