One win away from rugby glory

By Jordan Hughes

The Bull Sharks are into the Women’s Premier Rugby Grand Final after scraping home by just one point over the GPS Gallopers on Sunday in front of a vocal home crowd at The Canal. 

The side held on in a gutsy performance, beating the Gallopers 22-21 to book their place in Sunday’s Grand Final at Suncorp Stadium. 

HOW IT UNFOLDED

It was a shaky start for the Bull Sharks as GPS dived over for the first try but Bond quickly got into the groove with centre Melanie Wilks tearing down the sideline to score, leaving five defenders in her wake. 

After a late penalty goal the Bull Sharks went into half-time leading 10-7. 

Bond started the second half with tries from Grace Baker and Melanie Wilks who got her second of the day.  

GPS fought back, scoring two tries and reducing the Bull Sharks’ lead to just one point. Bond was hit with two consecutive yellow cards, battling to hold on with just 13 players in the crucial final moments. 

WHAT THEY SAID

Bull Sharks halfback Cobie-Jane Morgan said playing in front of a vocal home crowd had lifted the team. 

“It was pretty nail-biting in the last ten minutes but we spoke about playing for each other in the bigger picture and we hung in there and got the result,” she said. 

“The home crowd was so nice, everyone really got behind us in what was the best crowd we have had all season, which was awesome. 

“There was plenty on the line, GPS is such a strong team especially at finals time, so to come away with the win is huge for the group.” 

Bond will meet the Easts Tigers in the decider next week.  

“It’s all about execution for us. The last two weeks we have really proven to ourselves with our defence which continued with our forwards today,” Morgan said. 

“We will go back and sort out some out minor detail around our processes and be ready to go come next Sunday.”  

Preliminary Final Results at Bond University: 

Premier Women’s: Bond 22 GPS 21 

Colts One: Easts Tigers 24 Brothers 23  

Second Grade: Brothers 31 GPS 12 

First Grade: UQ 36 Brothers 22