Easts have taken a major step towards securing a spot in the semi-finals of the Strategic Airlines Queensland Premier Rugby competition after overcoming a defiant GPS 28 – 23 in a dramatic game at Bottomley Park that saw the lead change five times.

Right from the kick-off GPS applied pressure and were rewarded almost immediately with a penalty in the opening minutes which was duly dispatched by Pat Smith.

A high penalty count against both teams made flowing running rugby difficult to maintain but Easts managed to keep the ball in the GPS half for large chunks of the first half.

Easts were subsequently rewarded for this dominance of territory when, after a series of forward raids close to the try-line, Dom Fuller spotted a gap close to the ruck and dived over the line to take the score to 5 – 3.

GPS had a chance go begging after a rolling maul off the back of a lineout put them in a great scoring position, with only a knock on from a difficult pass denying them five points.

Easts though were still able to play the game largely in GPS’s half but were punished for a backline move gone wrong when winger Byron Roberts swooped on a loose pass and sprinted 65m to score under the posts against the run of play.

Discipline would hurt GPS over the following 10 minutes with Andrew Krelle adding 6 points to his teams scoreline on the back of two penalties but it could have easily been 9 after Krelle narrowly missed one attempt.

As half time approached it seemed that despite dominating possession and territory,  GPS’s gritty defence would deny Easts another try but with seconds remaining fullback David Georgiou was able to weave through the GPS backline for a five pointer that must have come as a relief for his team.

With Krelle adding the extra two points, the teams went into the break with the score at 18 – 10 and momentum firmly with the Tigers.

The second half started with GPS clearly intent on reversing that momentum and they were unfortunate not to add to their score in the opening 5 minutes after coming agonisingly close to the tryline twice as well as missing a penalty.

GPS were rewarded for their sustained pressure though when a strong scrum gave fullback Sam Satui enough room to cross the line and take the score to 18 – 17 after Pat Smith’s successful conversion.

A game of many twists and turns of momentum was dramatically altered after GPS tighthead Ruan Smith received a straight red card for illegal play just as GPS seemed to be getting the better of their opponents.

GPS though were not about to rollover and surrender the match. Despite their numerical advantage Easts weren’t able to take control and eventually surrendered the lead after a late hit on Pat Smith resulted in 3 points.

The momentum was once again with GPS, a situation made worse for Easts when second rower Greg Riley was yellow carded for deliberate offside and Pat Smith dispatched the accompanying shot on goal.

With the score at 23 -18 the stage was set for a tense and exciting finish. Easts thought they had scored when Dave Skelton attempted a spectacular leap over a ruck and into the try zone but was adjudged to be held up.

The next five minutes saw five scrum resets with four feeds going to Easts and one to GPS. On their fourth attempt Dom Fuller carried the ball close to the line and offloaded to Matt Brandon, making his return from a long term injury, who strolled under the posts to the rapturous applause of the home crowd.

After a successful conversion and a monster 50m penalty to Andrew Krelle, Easts rode out the rest of the match to finish 28 – 23 victors.

After the match, GPS coach Matt Pini elaborated on the cost of his team’s lose.

"We played a great second half, it was the first half where we lost the game. We know now that Sunnybank are in front of us so we’re playing catch up after today."

For Easts coach Pat Richards it was his team’s attitude that stood out.

"I though we showed great composure today. We had a poor first half but managed to pull it together in the last 15 minutes."

Easts 28 (D Fuller D Georgiou M Brandon A Krelle 3 pens 2 cons) d GPS 23 (T Winkley S Satui tries P Smith 3 pens 2 cons)

Match report by Peter Dowd