Bond University remain on top of the Queensland Premier Rugby ladder with a 33-22 victory over the Sunnybank Dragons - but they had to work for it.
How it unfolded
Bond had the perfect start when hooker Jack Winchester crossed the chalk after a successful rolling maul from the forward pack. The Dragons were quick to respond with their big pack bashing their way through before quick hands out wide did the rest to level the scores.
The momentum continued in the favour of the home side when they delivered a great set piece try from the scrum to score again, shocking the Bull Sharks faithful.
Three minutes before halftime, the Dragons scored again through some sensational offloads and went to the break ahead 17-5.
With plenty of work to do, Bond needed to find answers and they did - fast - when powerhouse front rower Levi Samuela burrowed his way over from close quarters.
Bond levelled the scores when winger Hamish Roberts pounced on a wild Sunnybank pass, toeing it ahead to regather and level the scores.
The comeback was complete when Rhian Stowers got his 10th try of the season after halfback Spencer Jeans saw space down the short side. Stowers did the rest with his lightening pace and dancing feet.
Bond were leading 26-17 with six minutes left but the Dragons found a way through the defence to make it a four-point ball game.
But the Bull Sharks held their nerve when Tyler Campbell ran straight over the top of the last Sunnybank defender, delivering the final statement in the 10-point win.
What they said
Centre Tyler Campbell was instrumental in the win, the best from the Bull Sharks this year.
“We knew coming in they would be hungry for a win and they showed it, disrupting our breakdown and upsetting our flow with their offload ability throughout the match which put us under pressure early on,” he said.
Trailing 17-5 at halftime, it could have unravelled but the Bull Sharks kept their composure when it mattered.
“We were guilty in the first half of not being dominant in first-up tackles and overplaying our hand in attack, so we just had to simplify things and stick to our processes.
“We were able to do that well which showed plenty of character from the boys to work hard and fight through that pressure to get the win.’
Heading into two weeks off, Bond are sitting pretty in top spot.
“Nothing comes easy in this competition, anyone can win on their day and so we know we have to continue to show up week in week out,” Campbell said.
“The next couple of weeks gives us the chance to freshen up and fine-tune some details as we welcome back a few guys to the squad.”
Around the grades
The Premier Women met the Dragons in the battle of first verses second and after going down 10-0 early, Bond fought back to trail by just three points thanks to a long-range effort from winger Georgia Grey. But Sunnybank proved too good, out-muscling the Bull Sharks 27-7.
All remaining grades produced strong wins over the Dragons with both second grade and colts one holding their nerve and providing some much-needed momentum heading into the final chapter of the season.
Bond will be back in action on July 15 at The Canal as they take on the Norths Eagles.
Full results
Colts two: W 28-21
Third grade: W 61-10
Colts one: W 29-24
Second grade: W 38-31
Premier Women: L 27-7
First grade: W 33-22