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Round 2 University
University have lost their first match since round one of last year, going down 24-20 to GPS in round two of the Strategic Airlines Queensland Premier Rugby Competition at St Lucia on Saturday. First points came quickly for the Red Heavies, with fullback Will Tuffley successfully kicking a penalty goal early in the first half. QAS Reds Academy winger Tevita Kuridrani scored a try soon after, running 40 metres off a well timed pass from outside centre and fellow academy member Simon Morahan. GPS grappled the lead from University when halfback and Academy member Nick Frisby sailed over the line off the back of an impressive break from inside centre Daniel Early. The young GPS outfit continued to dominate the first half, adding a penalty goal and a try through flyhalf Pat Smith, who scored after University lost the ball in the ruck. University trailed GPS 17-8 at halftime, after uncharacteristically losing the ball on several occasions as they tried to swing it wide in the first half. GPS continued to build their lead with winger Chris Kuridrani scoring in the corner at the start of the second half. However, a University resurgence challenged the young GPS defensive line, with University flanker Harry Elliot racing in for an early try. It looked like University would pull off a shock comeback when Stuart Valdal broke the line to score soon after. In the end, GPS held on to record an impressive 24-20 win. Despite the loss, both Kuridrani and Morahan produced solid performances, with Kuridrani a dominant force in the University attack. Reds Academy members and University forwards Dave McDuling and Kevin Davis were strong in attack, while half back Ian Prior was instrumental in setting up a number of plays throughout the match. Meanwhile, Academy member and GPS flanker Ben Coridas played a solid 80 minutes. University Coach Mick Heenan said the loss came down to his team's mentality. "When we scored a few points early in the first half I think, mentally, the boys thought they were going to run away with it," Heenan said. "But in the end the loss came down to too much dropped ball because we had plenty of opportunities to win, we just had no patience. "I was pleased to see the boys get themselves back into the match in the second half." Heenan said University's defence was still a "work in progress". "It was a willing contest between both teams and there were definitely some good hits out there. "The whole team is looking good and we were better than last week." GPS Coach Matt Pini said he was "happy to take the win" over the 2010 competition champions. "The match was a fantastic effort by our whole group, especially considering all of our boys are under 23," Pini said. "University dominated the second half and I think the boys were getting tired at the end, especially when they started to make mistakes and had to defend back-to-back sets. "But I was happy with their defence. University kept coming and we managed to repel them time and time again. "There are some very pleasing signs and the entire team should be proud of themselves and enjoy the win." GPS 24 (N Frisby, P Smith, C Kuridrani tries, P Smith 3 cons, 1 pen) def University 20 (T Kuridrani, H Elliot, S Valdal tries, W Tuffley 1 con, 1 pen) By Grace Duckham |
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