Round 8 vs Wests Match Report

by Ben Mitchell

Allsports Physiotherapy Hospital Challenge Cup. Saturday 29th May, Memorial Park, Sylvan Road, Toowong

Coming off the back of a hard-fought defeat to the University of Queensland, GPS will be raring to go for this battle against the Wests Bulldogs, who sit just one point behind on the ladder in 3rd place.

The Gallopers were off and running early, almost scoring in the first 5 minutes off the back of a lethal Teti Tela stiff arm, leading to an impressive line break. Half back Josh Vuta then fired a soaring cut-out pass to winger Josh Collins, standing in solitude near the sideline. He waltzed over for the simple finish and added try number 5 to his season total. Jason Hofmeyr slotted the difficult conversion, GPS up 7-0 after 8 minutes.

Another pinpoint cut-out from Josh Vuta found its way to an unmarked Teti Tela with nothing but the try line in front of him. Unfortunately he was thinking try time a little too early and dropped the catch.

The Gallopers found themselves 5 metres out with the attacking lineout. The ball was rifled in accurately by hooker Maile Ngauamo to Captain Michael Richards. Flanker Ratu Vio latched onto the ball and started his push forward, but no one from Wests was resisting, so he detached from the maul and flew over for an easy try. The score sat 12-0 after 22 minutes.

Gallopers lock Tuaina Tualima saw yellow in the 28th minute, leaving GPS vulnerable. Fullback Mason Gordon found acres of room near the wing, slinging the ball out to winger Benjamin Navosailagi for an easy try in the corner. Several minutes later a deflection from Ratu Vio fell into the hands of halfback Joel Atkins, who steamed his way over. Byron Hutchinson converted one of the two, knotting the game 12-12 at half time.

The second half was a mirror image of the first for the Gallopers. GPS had the lineout around halfway. Reserve halfback Cullin Cooper-Jones dished the ball to Jason Hofmeyr, who quickly delivered the inside ball to Josh Collins, carving his way through the middle. After beating three Wests tackle attempts, he found a wide-open Hofmeyr to his right, cruising under the posts. He converted his own try, GPS leading 19-12 in the 49th minute.

Misfortune struck again as openside flanker Matt Gicquel was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle. Wests seized the opportunity immediately, as the weaker GPS maul couldn’t stop the Bulldogs pushing forward. Hooker Ethan Dobbins peeled away to the right and crashed over. Hutchinson converted, levelling the game 19-19 with 26 minutes remaining.

Despite being a man down, GPS were back on the front foot. The ball exited from the lineout to the raging bull that is Ratu Vio, picking up metres and bodies on his way forward. Cooper-Jones recycled the ball quickly and found outside centre Chris Kuridrani, beating three defenders and falling under the posts. GPS led 26-19 with 23 minutes to play.

Teti Tela then showcased some magic with an exceptional cross-field kick to winger Maaloga Konelio, catching the ball in full stride. He passed back inside to fullback Patrick Nicholson, sprinting down the sideline to score a spectacular try in the corner. Hofmeyr slotted a difficult kick on the sideline, GPS up 33-19 with 17 minutes remaining.

Wests weren’t out of it yet. Mason Gordon showed a great dummy on reserve prop Fred Burke to find Byron Hutchinson uncovered for a try, 33-24 with 10 minutes left.

A minute later the Bulldogs were back. Reserve halfback Moses Sorovi quickly tapped from the penalty mark and booted it downfield, the GPS men out of position. Wests winger Shea Lalagavesi scooped it up and dove over. Hutchinson converted, narrowing the margin to 33-31 with 7 minutes to play.

GPS held off the desperate Bulldogs and narrowly escaped with the victory, 33-31.

Ratu Vio was a pest at the breakdown, drawing three ruck penalties. Teti Tela was clinical at inside centre, setting his teammates up masterfully. No one can look past the efforts of Jason Hofmeyr, who kicked accurately off the tee, made smart decisions with ball in hand, and was rewarded with a well-earned try.