Easts’ Joel Faulkner gets airborne at the line out – Photo: Sportography / QRU

Queensland Reds Media Release –

Easts Tigers have gone down in a tight tussle to Sydney University, 19-14, for the Australian Club Championship at David Wilson Field.

The Tigers qualified for the Australian Club Championship match after defeating GPS 27-22 in last year’s Queensland Premier Rugby Grand Final, and led 14-12 at halftime against the reigning Champions, Sydney University.

Despite the loss, Easts Head Coach Pat Richards was optimistic and was pleased with the team’s overall performance.

“Overall I was happy with the team’s performance, it was a fast paced and intense match and we had a lot of players playing Premier Grade for the first time,” said Richards.

Sydney University looked to test Easts early in the encounter, kicking for touch twice after being awarded consecutive penalties inside the Tigers’ half.

The student’s halfback Jake Gordon crossed over to score the first try of the match, but second rower Byron Hodge missed the conversion leaving the score at 5-nil.

Easts worked their way into Sydney University’s half and applied pressure to the visitors at the ruck, and eventually the Students paid the price losing second rower Liam Winton to a yellow card.

The Tigers continued to target Sydney University close to the ruck and number eight Johnny Kalavata barged over to level the scores, 5-all, in the 17th minute. Flyhalf Matt Brandon added the extra two and the Tigers took a 7-5 lead.

Inside centre EJ Fa’aofa, new to Premier Rugby in 2014, was a standout for the Tigers and showed great physicality and footwork to burst through two defenders and sprint the remaining 20 metres to score Easts’ second try of the night. Brandon slotted his second conversion to put the home side ahead 14-5 with ten minutes reaming in the first half.

Double Trouble: Two try hero James Dargaville makes a break
Photo: Sportography / QRU

Richards was impressed with Fa’aofa in his first outing.

“Tonight was EJ’s first taste of Premier Rugby after moving down from Cairns and he made the most of his opportunities.”

Winger James Dargaville was the difference for Sydney University, crossing on the stroke of halftime to narrow the margin to two points, 14-12, before starting the second half in a similar fashion, darting down the line to score the Students’ third and final try in the 46th minute.

Hodge converted both of Dargaville’s tries, pushing Sydney University out to a 19-14 lead.

Easts fought hard in the final 20 minutes to work their way back into the Students’ half and a 40 metre break from winger Johnny Wilder sparked a resurgence in the home side.

The Tigers camped on the Sydney University try line for the final minutes of the match and it looked as though Brandon would have the final say on the game when he stepped back inside the Sydney University forwards off his left foot, but he was brought down by the Students’ defence less than a metre from the try line.

A knock-on from the Tigers would end the match, allowing Sydney University to retain the Australian Club Championship with a 19-14 win.

From the 2013 Grand Final side, only six players from the starting XV ran out for the Tigers tonight, but halfback and Captain Jack Mullins was a standout, having a hand in both tries, and testing the visitors with darting runs and well placed box kicks.

“Jack is a great Rugby player and has a lot of heart, he is tough and intelligent and is still only 25 years old, I think coaches at the next level should be looking at him,” Richards said.

Debutant James Moore was another standout for the Tigers, making himself known to the University forward pack with a number of big hits early in the game.

“James Moore was excellent in the second row tonight, he pulled off a number of bone-jarring tackles and that was his first game back in Rugby since he finished school a number of years ago,” Richards added.

Sydney University Head Coach Chris Malone was happy to get the win, and was complementary of the way Easts played the game.

“It was a great experience for the team to stand up and get the win here in Queensland and credit has to be given to Easts, they played well and caused trouble for us throughout the match,” Malone said.

“It was a great, entertaining game and definitely worthy of a trophy.”

Sydney University 19 (James Dargaville 2, Jake Gordon tries; Byron Hodge 2 cons) def Easts Tigers 14 (Johnny Kalavata, EJ Fa’aofa tries; Matt Brandon 2 cons)