Bond powers back into winning form
A TAI Ford-inspired Bond University have swept to back-to-back wins for the first time in two years to breathe life into their Queensland Premier Rugby season.
The Bullsharks demolished Norths 41-7 at home on Saturday to prove they could yet be a threat come the pointy end of the second-tier competition. Star No.8 and captain Ford was exceptional for his side and was rewarded with two tries.
Backing up their last-start success against Sunnybank, the result sealed Bond’s first consecutive victories in a single season since Rounds 13 and 14 of the 2016 campaign – despite missing regulars Mitch Third, PJ Van den Berg and Ryan Menzies through injury.
“The boys played well,” said coach Grant Anderson. “The attack was good and we dug in defensively so really pleasing to see them react to what we wanted to do.”
Third’s injury opened the door for Dion Taumata to wear the No.10 jersey in premier grade rugby for the first time since rejoining Bond.
Taumata played for Bond in 2015 – the year he represented Queensland Country in the National Rugby Championship – before dropping back to local side Helensvale as he looked to balance footy and his career as a youth worker.
“I just decided to come back and play a higher level comp and enjoy it basically,” the 26-year-old said of why he returned to the Bullsharks this year.
Praised by Anderson for his “fantastic vision”, Taumata was pleased with the way they put Norths to the sword.
“We just didn’t take our foot off their neck,” he said. “We just enjoyed it, played some running rugby and everything just paid off I guess.”
The bonus point win lifts Bond from last to seventh at the midway point of the competition – and within seven points of the top four.
They take on sixth-placed Wests away next weekend in a clash that could be critical to the final standings.