By Bonnie Hancock
Bond University has made history in front of a rapturous Past Players Day crowd at The Canal.
In front of several of the club’s founding members, Bond swept Sunnybank in all seven games, a feat never before achieved by Bond at home.
Colts 2 held on in a tight one early, Women's Reserves followed with a good win, Third Grade were dominant in their game, Colts 1 enjoyed an impressive result of their own, and Second Grade were too good for the visiting Dragons.
It was then left to our Premier Men and Women to ice the cake, and they did so in style - the men powered to a comprehensive 45-20 win while our women were excellent in a 36-17 victory.
Bull Sharks coach Mick Heenan made seven changes to last week’s Premier Men starting side, which went down to Norths.
Underdogs Sunnybank were quick out of the blocks, getting over the line twice in the first five minutes, but two missed conversions in the blustery conditions kept Bond in the game.
The Bull Sharks hit back in the seventh minute when a powerful run into the powerful Dragons pack by number eight Dylan Rowe allowed young gun Fergus Gillan to score.
An ensuing 18-minute scoring drought was broken by Bond when a classic Gillan lineout allowed Wilson Parata to force his way over the line in his maiden season for the Bull Sharks.
Two successful conversions by the clinical Luke Depiazzi gave the hosts a four-point buffer.
The Dragons were quick to respond, with Nolitiviti bagging his second try of the match two minutes later. The visitors applied further pressure through Jack Volavola, who exploded past Bond’s outside defenders in the 38th minute to give the Dragons their fourth.
With the siren beckoning, the ever-present Gillan charged through three Dragon defenders, utilising his significant reach to plant the ball over the line.
Still, the visitors led into the break 20-19, but the day soon belonged to the Bull Sharks.
On an occasion devoted to the Bond Rugby community, Heenan’s men came out of the dressing sheds firing, with Patrick Barlow soon scoring off an expert pass from fellow centre Willy Rua.
The Bull Sharks continued to turn up the heat, and worked aggressively to put Taranaki product Parata over for his second.
Sunnybank were kept scoreless in the second half by Bond’s immaculate defence as the home side raced away, with a Luke Depiazzi try in the 66th minute providing the Bull Sharks an 18-point lead.
A stunning follow-up try off the bench by Niko Matewei sealed a sweet victory for the reigning premiers.
Heenan was pragmatic about Bond’s slow start and pleased with his team’s rallying in the absence of influential captain Tyler Campbell, who is sidelined for the season with a ruptured Achilles.
“We had some poor discipline and ball control in the first half, and Sunnybank are very good off unstructured possession,” Heenan said.
“They scored some tries off turnover, and we just didn't have our heads in the game, but everyone around the ball stepped up in their comms, and the leadership group really stepped up.
“Fergus Gillan was very good in his return to the side after a week off, Will Rua did a great job at 12 which is an unfamiliar position for him, and Dion Samuela and Luke Depiazzi combined really well.”
In the Premier Women, a three-try second half, including two from centre Michelle Curry, saw the Bull Sharks overpower a well-credentialed Sunnybank to maintain second position on the ladder.
Coach Setu Naseri was delighted with his side’s effort.
“Great to get up over a dogged Sunnybank side,” he said.
“The girls were very sore post-game, but the result would have eased the pain of those bumps and bruises.
“Those of our Reds Super W contingent who played showed why they are at that next level, and our veterans turned back the clock and, along with our leaders, led the way in a strong showing of what our group is capable of.
“Coupled with the reserves result, that’s two good wins and maximum competition points for both sides. A good weekend’s work.”
Our Bull Sharks teams will be hoping to recreate their perfect weekend when they take on Wests in the Reconciliation Round next Saturday.