By TOM PRIMMER

GPS and Easts continued their strong start to the 2020 Hospital Cup season in Round Two, while Bond University and Brothers posted their first wins of the year.

Let’s take a look around the grounds.

GPS 59 v Souths 14

A dominant GPS side ran in over 50-points for the second time in as many games on Saturday as the Gallopers secured a resounding 59-14 win over Souths.

In front of their home crowd at Yoku Road, Jeeps dominated from the start, scoring nine tries including doubles to wingers Abele Atunaisa and Josh Collins, as the youthful Magpies side struggled to find any answers for the GPS attack.

Test and Super Rugby centurion Will Genia featured off the bench for the hosts after gaining dispensation from his Japanese club the Kintetsu Liners, and scored a try in his Queensland Premier Rugby return.

GPS head coach Elwee Prinsloo said he was pleased with his side’s defensive efforts after leaking 45-points against Wests last week.

“Gabbs (defensive coach Brendan Gabbett) and the boys put in some good work at training to fix a couple of these areas since our last outing,” Prinsloo said.

“Both Will and Samu (Kerevi) have been outstanding. They’ve earned a massive amount of respect by the way they go on about their business both on and off the field.

“Their attitude towards footy is infectious, they truly love the game and that’s special to see and experience. It certainly rubs off on everyone involved.”

Despite the loss, Souths head coach Todd Dammers can see positive in the Magpies performance as his young side continues to adjust to the rigours of Premier Grade rugby.

“We are a work in progress that is for certain,” Dammers said.

“The GPS team are very good at understanding how to maintain pressure. It was a good lesson for some of our less experienced Premier Grade players.”

Jeeps will host Brothers this weekend, with Souths facing Sunnybank away from home.

GPS 59 (Josh Collins 2, Abele Atunaisa 2, Will Genia, Jamie Rickward, Jonathan Kent, Michael Richards, Joshua Tuqiri tries; Kent 5, Jason Hofmeyr 2 conversions) d SOUTHS 14 (Theo Fourie, Michael Siaki tries; Khan Ah Wong 2 conversions)

Brothers 33 v Norths 12

Brothers secured their first victory of 2020 with a comprehensive win in the Northside derby at Crosby Park over the weekend.

Norths trailed by just two-points at the half-time break at 14-12, before conceding 19-unanswered points in the second stanza as Brothers claimed a 33-19 win.

Scrumhalf Reuben Wall and winger Jangala Bennet both scored doubles in the win, with the Brethren retaining the Green Beacon Cup in their first home game of the season.

Returning inside-centre Pat James brought spark and direction to the Brothers’ attack, with the experienced mid-fielder scoring a try in his return in the butcher’s stripes, while Noah Nielsen also impressed in his first game since the COVID-19 break.

Brothers coach Anthony Mathison said he was pleased with his side’s improved performance in Round Two.

“We spoke all week about needing to improve our breakdown and I thought we showed better intent and were more accurate than last week,” Mathison said.

“It’s always great to play at home. It was our first home game of 2020 and there was a great buzz at Crosby Rd with plenty of support for our lads

“Jangala Bennett & Reuben Wall impressed in open play while Pat James and Noah Nielsen we’re heavily involved for their first hit out post-Covid.”

Norths will be raring to claim their first win of the season this weekend when they take on Bond on the Gold Coast, while Brothers will take on the red-hot GPS side at Yoku Road.

BROTHERS 33 (Wall 2, Bennet 2, James tries; Saifoloi 4 conversions) d NORTHS 12 (Kuhn, Prideaux tries; Prideaux conversion)

Bond University 37 v Sunnybank 35

After a bye in Round One, Bond University claimed their first victory of the season in thrilling fashion with 37-35 win over Sunnybank on the Gold Coast.

The Dragons held a 25-13 lead early in the second half courtesy of a Lachlan MacElory brace, before the Bullsharks launched a six-minute, three-try assault, to wrestle back the lead and momentum at the Canal.

Sunnybank weren’t done yet however, with a late try and penalty goal putting the visitors back into the lead at 35-34 with four-minutes to play.

Enter Mitch Third, who stepped up after the siren to slot a 40-metre penalty-goal and break Sunnybank hearts, securing a 37-35 win for the Gold Coasters.

The Bond backline again proved why they are one of the competition’s most dangerous, with electric wingers Max Dowd and Ryan Menzies both crossing the line, while inside-centre Tyler Campbell also impressed after moving to the Gold Coast from Waikato in New Zealand’s Mitre 10 Cup.

New halves pairing Liam Dillon and Third controlled the game well for the Bullsharks, while Connor Pritchard consolidated on his strong 2019 season, claiming the crucial turnover which gave Third the chance to snatch victory in the final seconds.

Sunnybank will be left to rue their inability to hold the ball in the final minute of play, although there were positives for the side with captain Tom Lucas putting in another strong showing at flyhalf.

The Dragons host Souths this weekend, with Bond again at home against Norths.

BOND UNIVERSITY 37 (Max Dowd 2, Tyler Campbell, Connor Pritchard, Ryan Menzies tries; Mitch Third 3 conversions; Third 2 penalties) d SUNNYBANK 35 (Lachlan MacElory 2, Liam McNamara, Tom Lucas tries; Lucas 3 conversions, 3 pen goals)

Easts 32 v Wests 17

Easts made it two wins from as many starts after overcoming Wests 32-17 at Sylvan Road Round Two of the Hospital Cup

The Tigers raced out of the blocks to lead 22-nil by the 20-minute mark, before a second-half resurgence from the Bulldogs narrowed the scoreline in Toowong.

Former Wallaby skipper Ben Mowen scored his first try of the season in the win, as the Tigers blew the home side off the park in the opening exchanges.

Fullback Aidan Toua was again key for Easts, with the former Red controlling play from the back and chiming in with a number of deft touches to lead his side to their second win.

Despite the win head coach Moses Rauluni was disappointed with his side’s second-half performance after letting he Bulldogs back into the game.

“We started very well and got to a good lead but took the foot off the throat and made some poor decisions,” Rauluni said.

“Fair play to Wests, they pounced on our errors and dominated the latter part of the game.”

Rauluni lauded the performance of prop Richie Asiata after a strong performance from his side at set-piece time.

“Richie worked really hard around the field and had some great touches.

“Dylan Taikato-Simpson also had some great involvements in the game.”

Easts will take on fellow premiership contenders UQ at St Lucia this week while will Wests have the bye.

EASTS 32 (Matthew Smit, Jack Frampton, Richie Asiata, Shane Kennedy, Ben Mowen tries; Phoenix Hunt 2 conversions; Hunt 1 penalty) d WESTS 17 (Rob Puliuvea, Jeremiah Skelton, Fletcher Spicer tries; Gordon 1 conversion)

IMAGE: BRENDAN HERTEL / QRU