|
Game Reports
Round 8 NorthsGPS have kept themselves in the top four of the Strategic Airlines Queensland Premier Rugby competition with a 48 - 5 victory over a gallant North Brisbane side at Yoku Road on Saturday afternoon. On a cool but clear afternoon, GPS were too strong for bottom-of-the-ladder Norths with QAS Reds Academy member and stand-in captain Nick Frisby turning in a strong performance, playing a role in two tries and scoring one himself for the Jeeps. In a largely uneventful second half, GPS cruised to victory scoring two tries to build on their 36 - 5 halftime lead, whilst keeping Norths out with some solid defence at the beginning of the half. Both sides made poor ball handling errors early on before GPS struck within ten minutes of play. Nick Frisby's clearing kick from inside his own half bounced unfortunately for Norths and straight back to the chasing Jeeps players who worked it through the hands to send flyhalf Pat Smith over the line. Smith then duly converted to make it 7-0. An intercept try to winger Byron Roberts made it 12-0 just minutes later and Smith converted again to add the two points. GPS were in again for their third try not long after when Norths knocked the ball on in good attacking territory and the quick break from the Jeeps saw fullback Josh Logan score in the corner a couple of phases later, but Smith couldn't convert from the sideline. Norths, however, refused to go down without a fight and got their opening try almost straight from the restart when GPS knocked on, prop Shane Tasi crossing the line after the good field position afforded to them by the GPS mistake. That would be about as good as it got for Norths, the conversion attempt unsuccessful to leave the score at 19-5 in favour of the Jeeps. GPS hooker Joao Calderia Santos crossed the line and Smith added the extras to ensure the bonus point before Frisby then got in on the act himself to finish off another slick counter-attack from the Jeeps after Norths again squandered possession in attacking territory. Flanker Mogi Wei scored the final points of the half with a try shortly before half-time to send GPS into the break with the big lead. From there the scoring action died down with Norths attacking the GPS goal line but unable to find a way through for a large period early in the second half. Norths were made to pay for their inability to convert possession and territory into points. Inside centre James Herbert crossed for the Jeeps with Smith again converting to extend the lead to 43-5. Curtis Franks then put the finishing touches on the win with an unconverted try on full-time. GPS Coach Matt Pini said he was happy with the win but admitted his side needed to improve in some areas. "It was a good win," Pini said. "We made a lot of errors but these games are always difficult and Norths are a difficult team so it was good." Pini said the mistakes were something he was prepared to put up with as Jeeps field a young team. "You've got to be prepared to put up with the mistakes," he said. "We've got a young team, we finished with four eighteen year-olds today." Norths Coach Lew Price said he was happy with the effort but admitted his team didn't always help themselves. "GPS are a good team but we gave them a few tries today," Price said. "We're trying hard but our turnovers killed us." Price said he was upbeat despite the heavy loss. "We stuck to our patterns better today and I'm very positive." GPS play Souths next week while Norths will face top four side University. GPS 48 (J Caldeira-Santos G Murphy N Frisby P Smith J Herbert J Logan S Satui C Franks tries P Smith 4 cons) d Norths 5 (K Lolotonga try) By Michael Cormack Game Reports Round 18 Souths Semi- Final Round 17 Norths Round 16 Wests Round 15 Easts Round 13 Sunshine Coast Round 10 Gold Coast Round 9 Souths Round 8 Norths Round 6 Easts Round 5 Sunshine Coast Round 4 Sunnybank Round 3 Brothers Round 2 University Round 1 Gold Coast |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
