GPS continue to apply pressure to the top four heading into the final round of the Strategic Airlines Queensland Premier Rugby competition following a ruthless 25-8 victory over Norths at Hugh Courtney Oval on Saturday.

Currently GPS (58 competition points) sit in fifth position behind Easts (63) and Sunnybank (61) and would require a victory against Souths next weekend and further results to fall their way to qualify for a place in the Premier Rugby Finals Series.

From the outset heavy rain and the wet conditions forced both teams to relentlessly scramble for the ball, struggling to find a rhythm on the puddle-filled turf.

The mighty Gallopers were first to score in the seventh minute with a brilliant length of the field intercept try by winger Todd Winkley giving the visitors an early 7-0 lead, which was extended shortly after with a penalty to flyhalf Pat Smith bringing the margin to 10 points.

Finding themselves in an unwanted position, Norths tried to fight back through some stinging defence although a successful penalty kick by scrumhalf Jason Tia was all they could muster in the first half.

GPS scored a telling blow on the stroke of the halftime whistle with number eight Gavin Murphy scoring down the left wing from a scrum move, followed by a further penalty kick to leave the score at 18-3.

Throughout the second half the unforgiving weather toughened both teams quest for points, as continuously worsening rain made precise ball play impossible – mistakes, slip-ups, and dropped balls became a ritual part of the game.

Despite this a territorial advantage was held by GPS, who score yet another converted try from a scrum in the 54th minute.

Regardless that the game was lost, in the fighting spirit of the Eagles a precise pass from left lock Will Hansen safeguarded the squads first try, scored by flanker Tom Hewitt with two minutes of playtime to go.

GPS 25 (2 T Winkley G Murphy tries P Smith 2 con 2 pens) d Norths 8 (T Hewitt try J Tia pen)

Match report by Beatrice Timofte