Bond University’s Division 1 men capped a soccer season to remember last night when they came from behind to win the SEQ Community Cup grand final over a formidable Broadbeach side at Coplicks Sports Park.
The Bull Sharks had already claimed their third successive league title having topped the home and away ladder, but after several years falling at the final hurdle, they finally broke through for an elusive grand final trophy to go with it.
Broadbeach struck first with a goal in the 23rd minute and held a 1-0 advantage a heading into the break, but Bond came out confidently in the second half.
Momentum shifted, pressure built and the Bull Sharks eventually found a way through.
They found the net in the 68th and 73rd minutes to turn a 0-1 deficit into a 2-1 lead.
Left back Reyne Fennell - a Bond University Property Management graduate and one of the Bull Sharks best on the night - refused to read too much into the Dolphins’ first half strike.
“Absolutely I had confidence we would get up after our first goal,” Fennell said.
“It just takes one, and then the others come, one after the other.”
The final whistle marked a long-awaited moment for Fennell, who first pulled on Bond’s blue and gold jersey as a Division 2 player.
“I played for Bond for five years in Div 2, so this moment is pretty special playing up, and being my first trophy,” he said.
Coach Kaden Boehme said the fightback was tough to watch.
“Looking on at the boy’s tonight was stressful for me as a coach, but for them it was an absolutely tenacious effort,” he said.
The 22-year-old defender was one of the players called upon to help close out the win.
“When he came on his pace is always quick,” Boehme said. “He gives great security and he made sure no-one got passed him.”
Calls for celebratory drinks came quickly, but first the Bull Sharks were swept towards the presentation, where tension gave way to jubilation.
Medals were placed around their necks before the players gathered together to lift two large gold trophies into the air as families crowded to share the victory.
After fighting back from a half-time setback, the Bull Sharks made it double or nothing – and this time, they had the trophy to show for it.