Round 9 vs Brothers Match Report

by Ben Mitchell

Round 9 – GPS vs Brothers. Allsports Physiotherapy Hospital Challenge Cup. Saturday 5th June, Ashgrove Sports Ground, Yoku Road, Ashgrove

GPS look to conclude the first half of season fixtures with a win over long-time rivals Brothers Rugby Club. Fans well and truly showed out to support the Gallopers, sprawled across Ashgrove Sports Ground in huge numbers. The day was also to celebrate the old boys who have been a part of GPS’s illustrious history, and they were honoured accordingly, as the team wore a heritage jersey inspired by the 1951 first grade side.

Brothers fullback Nathan Carroll kicked a penalty early. Only a couple of minutes later, the boys in blue and white struck again. A set play from the scrum drove them well over the advantage line around the 22. Fly-half Patrick James received the ball from the ruck and fired an inside ball to centre Hudson Creighton, who found a gap and stepped Josh Collins to score. Carroll made quick work of the conversion and put Brothers up 0-10 after 14 minutes.

GPS were on the back foot, and found their answer in the 22nd minute. Territory gaining possessions led them to an attacking scrum 5 metres out. It became a pick and drive battle between the forwards. As GPS inched closer, hooker Maile Ngauamo scooped it from the ruck and bulldozed his way through four Brothers defenders to score his first try of the season. Jason Hofmeyr kicked the conversion, 7-10 in the 23rd minute.

The Gallopers turned the pressure up, and minutes later were in control of possession 5 metres out. Several runs were thwarted by a strong Brothers defence. Over ten phases passed before the witty half back Josh Vuta threw a dummy that froze his defender, and dove under the tackle for a try between the posts. GPS led 14-10 with 29 minutes gone.

Near the death of the first half, GPS drew multiple penalties against Brothers in the rolling maul just 5 metres out. One last rolling maul was formed from the lineout, and Maile Ngauamo found his hands on the pill. He spotted a favourable one-on-one matchup with winger Kamilo Guido on the blindside and ran straight at him, ploughing over for his second try. GPS led 21-10 at the halftime break.

Brothers came out with aggression to start the second half. A well-planned set piece was formed at a lineout inside their own 50. They executed it to perfection, finding flanker and Reds star Fraser McReight flying through an open lane. After several well-timed passes, right-winger Billy Bulley found his partner Kamilo Guido near the left sideline, who dove over. Carroll slotted a difficult conversion, bringing Brothers to within one score, 21-17, after 46 minutes.

The next 15 minutes were dominated by the GPS forwards, winning six scrum penalties, allowing Hofmeyr to kick the team closer to the try line.

Several rucks after another dominant GPS scrum, lock Tuaina Tualima charged at the line, needing four Brothers defenders to bring him down. When he landed, he popped the offload back up to centre Teti Tela, who fell over for a try. GPS led 26-17 with 16 minutes to play.

Brothers gave it their all, forcing GPS turnovers and driving inside the 22. However, flanker Matt Gicquel had other ideas. Winger Billy Bulley was left isolated with pilfering specialist Gicquel, and the reinforcements came too late, as referee Jordan Way blew the whistle for not releasing. The crowd were absolutely elated.

With tensions running high, a lengthy skirmish broke out between the sides. Jordan Way gave both captains a stern warning, and let play continue.

In the 80th minute, Matt Gicquel won another penalty for his side, clamping down on Fraser McReight. This sealed the win, as Hofmeyr booted the ball into touch and the final whistle was blown, GPS winning 26-17 over Brothers.

Matt Gicquel stood out with his stymie defence down the stretch. Flanker Ratu Vio broke through numerous tackles and made plenty of metres after contact. Josh Vuta controlled the tempo of the game masterfully. Once again, special mention must be made for the forward pack, with a dominant second-half performance at scrum time.