The Bull Sharks have claimed another trophy for Gold Coast rugby with the U18s side defeating Souths 18-5 in the Lightning Series grand final.
The Bond side, made up of Bull Sharks Colts players and the cream of Gold Coast high school talent, went through the six-week home and away series undefeated to reach the final against Souths who had dominated the other pool.
The game was played in slippery conditions at Easts Rugby club and the Bull Sharks adapted best.
Coach Jonny Bentley said the platform for the victory was laid when the Bull Sharks forward pack gained the ascendancy over their bigger rivals.
“We got off to a great start and probably adapted better to the conditions than our opposition,” he said.
“A combination of our game drivers putting us in the right areas of the field, and some great energy in defence put Souths under pressure early.
“And our forward pack fronted up pretty well and got the better of a big Souths group early and that gave us some great momentum.”
With dominant field position secured it was only a matter of time before the Bull Sharks broke through with the first try coming from close range.
Then when Souths lost a player to the bin, the Bull Sharks took advantage and spread the ball wide for Declan Brown to score their second.
“The forwards built a great platform for the backs and even though it was greasy they showed some slick hands as Declan Brown scored in the left hand corner,” Bentley said.
The Bull Sharks lead 18-0 early in the second half but the result was far from decided as Souths fought their way back into the contest, testing the Bond defence with wave after wave of attacking play.
“We knew Souths wouldn't throw in the towel and they threw the kitchen sink at us and at various times we looked like we might concede,” Bentley said.
“But our boys just kept at it and our defence was huge in the second half and the guys just kept on tackling.”
When the Bull Sharks lost two men of their own to the bin, Souths broke through to score a late try.
Bentley said the competition, which featured sides from Sunnybank, Wests, UQ Junior Heavies, GPS, Brothers, Easts, Souths as well as Wynumm, the Nerang Bulls and St Peters, served as a terrific launching pad for the Bull Sharks into the Queensland Premier Rugby Colts season and should also ensure the players enter their school rugby seasons match fit and full of confidence.
“It was a really pleasing finish to what was a great tournament, and to go 6 from 6 and come out Champs was a real credit to the buy-in of everybody in the squad,” he said.
“It's a great way to start the season for the club, and for the players as well, some who will enter our Colts program and the others who return to school rugby.”