IT was a near miss for the Bond University Breakers in their first game of the 2013 Queensland Premier Rugby Competition at their new home grounds on the weekend.
Leading from the middle of the second half, the Breakers went down to the Sunshine Coast Stingrays in the final minutes, finishing 18-14.
A crowd of almost 400, which included Mayor Tom Tate and Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Brailsford, turned out to watch the Breakers.
Breakers Captain Dan Collins said the new ground was great to play on and he thanked the supporters for turning up.
“It was a big crowd that turned out with high hopes - it was great to have their support. The pitch is fast to play on. We came so close today; I am disappointed we couldn't get a win up for our supporters, but it’s only round one and we can improve,” Collins said.
The Breakers were beaten at the break-down and made some errors at crucial times.
Bond University Breakers coach Rob Nowlan said some mistakes in execution and penalties played a part in their defeat.
“We just got to make sure we get those one percentages right, we simply need to improve our scrum and ruck,” said Nowlan.
The first half was a stop start affair with both sides making some basic errors; the Stingrays led 6-3 at half time.
In the 4th minute of the second half with a Stingray player in the sin bin, Breakers winger Brad Jones scored in the corner with Luke Evans missing the conversion, but kicking a penalty soon after.
The Stingrays scored a converted try to take the lead 13-11 in the 58th minute. Evans kicked another penalty to take the lead, but a ‘chip and chase’ in the 79th minute secured the win with a try for the Stingrays.
Breakers Captain Dan Collins, sustained at neck injury, Will Slipper suffered rib cartilage and Josh Cooper a shoulder injury. The players will be assessed and monitored during the week.
The Breakers will have two weeks off due to Easter and will play GPS away at Yoku Road in Brisbane on the 6th April.