Bond eye top four spot
Reds set to boost Bull Sharks in hunt for rugby finals berth
THEIR place on the Queensland Premier Rugby ladder remains unchanged but there are two noticeable outcomes to take away from Bond University’s crucial 37-26 win over GPS.
The Bull Sharks have moved back to within a bonuspoint victory of the top four as they prepare to welcome back their Queensland Reds contingent. And they have an added piece of silverware to flash around, having pinched the Bunter Bowl off the defending premiers.
Each club is given one chance to challenge for the Bowl during the season and Bond took their opportunity against GPS, who held it heading into the Round 12 match at Robina.
The Bull Sharks will now hold on to it until they are forced to defend it by a club that hasn’t yet used their challenge.
Of more significance is the result keeps their finals campaign alive.
Bond’s mid-season momentum had been halted by a twogame losing streak but their response was emphatic, piling on six tries against Premier Rugby’s leading defensive team.
“It just gives the guys a lot of confidence and a lot of belief that we can beat the best teams in the competition,” coach Grant Anderson said.
“And the way that the competition is panning out, we’re very much in the hunt for a finals spot if we can keep putting performances together and winning.”
Zach Moimoi and Joey Fittock were outstanding against GPS, while Luke Papworth and Dan Boardman soldiered on in spite of injuries.
The potential presence of Reds representatives Alex Mafi, Hamish Stewart, Gavin Luka and Angus Blyth comes at a timely moment ahead of their next clash against Easts.
“To have those sort of quality players coming back would make a massive difference to our team,” Anderson said. QLD PREMIER RUGBY ROUND 12
P W L D B Pts 11 10 1 0 1 169 45 10 8 2 0 2 112 36 11 6 5 0 1 4 26 11 5 6 0 1 102 26 11 5 6 0 1 -30 23 10 5 5 0 2 -65 22 11 4 7 0 1 6 21 11 3 8 0 1 -114 14 10 2 8 0 2 -184 10 Brothers GPS Souths Wests
Uni of Qld Easts Bond Uni Sunnybank Norths