Bond University are back on top of the Queensland Premier Rugby ladder after a resounding 48-22 defeat of Brothers at The Canal.
How it unfolded:
The Bull Sharks had the support of a vocal home crowd, but it was the visitors who opened the scoring with a penalty goal and then soon after a try, jumping to a 10-0 lead after 19 minutes.
It was not until the 25th minute that Queensland Red Jake Upfield crashed over for the Bull Sharks to bridge the gap to three points.
That swung the momentum in the Bull Sharks’ favour and another try quickly followed when winger Dan Boardman showed sensational footwork to beat three Brothers defenders before linking with Tyler Campbell whose try gave the home side the lead for the first time in the match.
The Bull Sharks extended their lead when they were awarded a penalty try for their continued scrum pressure, but Brothers hit back.
Then on the stroke of halftime Hamish Roberts found space on the edge and raced over to give the Bull Sharks a 26-17 lead at the break.
It took 20 minutes into the second half for the next five pointer to come and it was Brothers who got the crucial score, bridging the gap.
But that would only serve to kick the Bull Sharks into gear. Fijian flanker Rusiate Nasove glided through a yawning gap for a try and the dominance would continue with the forwards showing great shape with the rolling maul which led to a Tomas Grenon try.
The game was out of Brothers’ reach but Bond University would make one final statement when Hamish Roberts pounced on a loose ball and delivered a miracle flick pass to Tyler Campbell who dived over in the corner to cap off the 26-point victory.
What they said:
Returning scrumhalf Spencer Jeans was impressed with his side’s ability to produce two quality performances on the trot.
“Brothers are a really strong outfit and the boys were eager for revenge after going down to them earlier in the year, so to produce a performance like that at home was really pleasing,” he said.
“We just went back to how we want to play footy in speeding up the game and playing out wide with guys like Rhian Stowers and Tyler Campbell stepping up in the second half.”
Jeans has had an injury-plagued season with the Queensland Reds and is relishing being back in Bond colours.
“It’s been great to come home into a solid team and get stuck into working hard and making up for a lot of footy I’ve missed,” he said.
Around the grades:
The Premier women have set up a top-two showdown with Sunnybank next week after dispatching Brothers 62-5.
Jemma Bemrose was a standout with her huge defensive efforts.
Dianne Waight scored two tries, as did Eva Karpani who was impressive up front once again.
The Bull Sharks head to Sunnybank next week before having the following two weeks off.
Full results:
Colts two: L 35-7
Third grade: L 34-7
Colts one: L 31-11
Second grade: L 31-12
Premier women: W 62-5
First grade: W 48-22