It was scrappy and may have featured more errors than coach Mick Heenan would have liked, but from 15-nil down after 20 minutes, the Bull Sharks have hauled themselves from the canvas to keep their Premiership defence alive with a last gasp win over Norths at The Canal.
On a perfect afternoon in front of a rowdy crowd, Bond did its best to make a late mess of what was a compelling fightback.
Controlling possession with just a few minutes to play, a Bull Sharks concentration lapse at the breakdown gifted the Eagles midfield possession.
Moments later, a clear Bond ruck infringement put the game on the boot of Norths goalkicker Mosiah Christian after the bell.
His long-range attempt curved to target late, but not quite enough.
In the end, Bond hung on for a much needed 24-22 victory over the competition’s second-best team.
The game couldn’t have started worse for Bond with early mistakes - many unforced – trapping the home side deep in its own territory.
Eventually weight of early possession saw impressive young Norths flyer Jayden Solien zip over on the left edge.
Soon after powerful Eagles centre Jack Peoples scored after a jinking 20 metre run for the visitor’s second.
Full back Will McCulloch scored five minutes later.
In a blink, Norths had accumulated a three try-lead before Bond had fired a single shot.
But things swung back in the 25th minute when Nikotimo Mateiwai smashed over from close range after a clever Bond lineout move.
It was helter skelter in the shadows of half time with Bond finally finding some attacking rhythm but as has been a problem all season for the Bull Sharks, attack zone errors sapped momentum at critical times.
Bond Coach Mick Heenan made five changes at the break with Harry Bell, Rhys Sherrif, Liam Daniela, Taiki Miyashita, and Luke Depiazzi all called upon.
Their injection made an immediate difference.
A few minutes in and only a cruel bounce killed off a likely Depiazzi try, but an enormous Kairus Booth midfield carry opened Norths up moments later and all of a sudden Bond were controlling territory and setting the game’s tempo.
Off the back of some terrific grunt work by Miyashita and Kenta Matsuoka, and some desperate repeat phase play, the indefatigable Wilson Parata cut the deficit to five when he crashed over next to the right post.
Soon after, a neat right step saw Ryan McGloin cross for his side’s third and Bond had pinched the lead.
Still, largely off the back of clumsy Bull Sharks errors, Norths threatened for much of the middle parts of the second half.
Just as they looked set to launch a fightback of their own, Harry Langbridge’s slightly greedy penalty touch attempt deep in Bond territory went touch-in-goal.
It was a significant turnover, and Bond took full advantage when just minutes later, Booth crashed over for Bond’s fourth.
Depiazzi’s successful conversion pushed Bond out to what would prove a crucial 9-point margin.
But Norths weren’t done.
Silky Eagles full back Will McCulloch crossed for his second to keep his side in it, and Christian’s wide conversion from wide drew them to just two with plenty of momentum
But when Bond earned a late turnover from a lineout steal, it looked like Norths had run out of time.
To their credit, they refused to quit.
One last ditch push eventually had everything riding on Christian’s boot.
Thankfully for Bond, it wasn’t to be.
Coach Mick Heenan said he was rapt to see his side enjoy a close win.
“We made errors along the way, but I’m just so relieved to be on the right side of the ledger in a close game for once.”
“We’ve had opportunities to win a lot of games this year but for whatever reason we haven’t been able to take them, so it’s just fantastic for the guys to get one back.
“We had a number of debuts today.
“Brothers James and Niko Mateiwai up front, and Connor Leather in the number 10 jumper.
“To hang on and enjoy a win like that is terrific.”
The bonus point win Bond shifts Bond up to fifth on the ladder, just five points adrift Easts and Wests.
The Bull Sharks play Sunnybank next Saturday.