Brothers' Murphy celebrates milestone in style

Brothers have continued their unbeaten run in the 2011 Strategic Airlines Queensland Premier Rugby competition, defeating GPS 46-12 at Yoku Road Sports ground in a dominating performance.
 
The victory was particularly special for club stalwart Damon Murphy; the team's win coinciding with the fullback's 100th Premier Grade appearance.
 
With both teams undefeated coming into the game, it promised to be a tantalising match-up between the rival clubs in near perfect conditions.
 
But in a first half that mirrored the St.George Reds performance from the previous night, the Brethren came out firing, startling the home side with a lead of 24-0.  
 
Tries came early for Brothers, with winger Ant Sauer the first to register, scoring in the corner off a slick pass from Murphy.
 
A captain's try from Simon Price and another from Anthony Pyers ensured the Brethren's ability to starve GPS of possession translated to the scoreboard.
 
Brother's flyhalf Matt Smith's near perfect day with the boot also helped his side to extend their lead, with the fluid kicker (6/7) splitting the uprights from all over the paddock. 
 
While the polished attack from the Brothers unit was impressive, it was the defensive effort deep on their own line to hold GPS for almost 10 minutes before half time that highlighted the strength of the pack. 
 
GPS made their way into the game in the second half through an under the post try to lock Mitchell Carpenter, but Brothers continued to maintain pressure and responded with a further three tries ensuring the win and all important bonus point. 
 
With the Brethren crossing with six different try scorers, the performance showcased the team’s versatility and potency in attack. 
 
Brothers coach Adrian Thompson was pleased with his chargers effort, who in their last three appearances have defeated their opponents by an average of more than 30 points.
 
"We just stuck to our structures today which we haven’t for the last couple of weeks and that will give guys chances," Thompson said.
 
GPS coach Matt Pini conceded his team’s inability to maintain possession proved costly.
 
"We were outclassed for the whole game, Brothers were too good, too slick and it’s definitely a learning curve for us," Pini said. 
 
"We’ve just got to hold onto the ball and stick to the basics, and we didn’t do that today."
 
Brothers 46 (I Tabalala S Price A Pyers A Sauer D Murphy M Felsman tries M Smith 2 pens 5 cons) d GPS 12 (M Carpenter N Frisby tries P Smith con)

By Jessica Jackson