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First half blitz earns potent Stingrays finals spot
 Saturday, 14 August 2010
A powerhouse first half from the Sunshine Coast Stingrays in defeating GPS 31-12 at Ashgrove has won them their first ever finals berth ahead of three other rivals.
 
The home side's faint finals hopes were dashed as Sunshine Coast came out firing, powering through the Gallopers' defence and playing a muscular style of football that should hold them in good stead during the finals.

Their bonus point victory kept them ahead of Easts, Souths and GPS in the last round fight for a semi-final berth against Brothers at Ballymore next Sunday.
 
Stingrays number 8 Mitch King was the only casualty for the side, injuring his hamstring with a try at his mercy, but Adam Gavegan was fortunately in support to score the first try.
 
The Gallopers' defence struggled to withstand the pressure from the visitors and powerful centres Caleb Ralph and Toese Lealamanua soon made them pay, with both scoring tries as the Stingrays secured the all-important four try bonus point before the half-time break.
 
Despite scoring the only try in the second half, the Gallopers' couldn't bridge the gap and Sunshine Coast ran out deserving winners.

Stingrays skipper Gareth Clouston was understandably ecstatic with his side's performance.

"We were really happy to secure all the points in the first half. It was a great effort by the boys," Clouston said.

GPS coach Matt Pini acknowledged that his team had been outplayed and would now have to look towards 2011.

"The Stingrays were bigger and stronger today, they were just too good", he said. The loss also saw GPS farewell retiring captain and club stalwart Steve Miller, along with fellow long serving Gallopers Geoff Ingram, Donovan Slade, Ryan McDonald, Elia Tuqiri.

One positive for GPS was the performance of Wallaby back Peter Hynes, who returned from a knee injury for a solid workout that did his chances of Wallaby selection no harm.

"His knee pulled up well and it was great for him to have a run,"  Pini said. "He was a step above everyone else today, and I really hope he gets a Wallabies spot."

Sunshine Coast 31 (S Siemonek, M Blain, A Gavegan, C Ralph, T Lealamanua tries, M Stone 3 cons) d GPS 12 (J Ellis, S Miller tries, M Garland con)

Match report by Jess Jackson