Norths director of Rugby Michael Bell says his club’s first grade result on the weekend – which saw the side thrash UQ 71 points to 19 at home – is the result of a strong preseason and years of planning. 

Norths bounced back from a round one defeat against Easts, with a resounding statement-win against UQ.  

Bell told Rugby News the victory was one of the best in recent memory. 

“From all accounts from the old boys at the bar, it was more than likely a club record win against UQ,” he said. 

“This result was really a culmination of a few years of planning.” 

Bell said while Norths wouldn’t get ahead of themselves, they were “enjoying the win” and added the muddy conditions made it even more impressive. 

“Our head coach Dan Ritchie along with the assistant, Barry Faamausili, work really hard with keeping the boys focused. Round one didn’t go our way and we didn’t play to the conditions, but the coaches kept faith in the team,” Bell said. 

“We are going to keep backing our program and what we are doing. It came off on the weekend. The ground looked dry from a distance, but when you were out there, there was two feet of mud underneath. 

“To score 11 tries in those conditions is a testament to where we are at the moment. It’s a result or a commitment to hard work, and playing entertaining rugby.”

Meanwhile at Brothers Rugby Club, the hosts, who had the bye last weekend, opened their season with a win over Sunnybank, 55-31. 

While the result appeared comprehensive on paper, it was a tightly-contested throughout. With 15 minutes left in the tie, Sunnybank only trailed by seven points. Brothers ran away with the game late on.

Brothers captain Will Wilson said the most pleasing thing to take away from the win was how well the hosts performed as an “attacking unit”, considering it was their first Hospital Cup fixture for 2025. 

“To come away with a bonus point victory in our first game, against Sunnybank, is really solid,” Wilson said. 

Wilson said Sunnybank’s attack-first style of play made it a tricky opponent. 

“Sunnybank are so good at capitalising on your mistakes. If the ball goes on the ground and you are attacking, there is always a chance they will pick up the ball and run the length of the field, and we saw that in the game,” he said. 

“They play eyes up footy; they are always keen to throw the ball around or look for an offload. It’s really tough to play or them. It makes the win really pleasing.” 

Wilson lauded Brothers’ new No.10 Jude Gibbs for his performance in the game. 

“I thought he was excellent and led the team around really well. He’s a new face and he appears to be settling in nicely,” he said. 

Other results saw Easts continue its unbeaten start to the season as it defeated Wests, 31-28 at home, while Souths recorded an impressive 40-31 away win over GPS. 

Wilson said he was surprised by the open-nature of the competition this season. 

“The results so far have shown that anyone can beat anyone. I don’t think anyone really predicted that Norths win, as well Easts getting up over Wests – just purely based off last year.”

Wilson pinpointed Easts as a team to beat this season.  

“Easts have started really well. They are looking solid,” Wilson said. 

Bond had the bye.