By Liam Cook

A handful of players caught the eye over the opening weekend of the 2022 Hospital Cup season.

We picked out five of the best from round one.

Jacob Prideaux – Norths

The Eagles flyhalf couldn’t have done much more to help secure a round one victory for Norths.

The playmaker steered his side around the park impressively and capitalised on his opportunities when they came. However it was the final moments where he stamped his authority on the game.

Trailing by three points with four minutes to play, Prideaux chased his own perfectly weighted kick to secure a penalty for not releasing right in front of the posts.

Patrick Nicholson – GPS

The experienced fullback impressed in both attack and defence against Brothers at Crosby Park.

Scoring two tries in the opening 17 minutes, Nicholson’s best was yet to come, saving a near certain try by holding up Brothers winger Billy Bulley at a crucial stage in the second half.

Jaiden Christian – Brothers

The heated nature of the Brothers v Jeeps clash at Crosby Park didn’t scare off young Brothers prop Jaiden Christian, who impressed in his Premier Rugby debut.

Christian’s reward for hard work came when he gave his side the lead in the early stages of the first half, barging through the GPS defence to score his first try of the season.

Zac Crothers – Easts

Junior Wallaby Zac Crothers began his season by leading the Tigers to a comprehensive victory over Sunnybank.

The young hooker scored two tries in six minutes, his second coming from a brilliant blind side play that allowed Crothers to score with style near the corner

Tom Molloy – University of Queensland

Molloy started his second season in the top grade in style, scoring in the final minutes to secure the points for UQ.

He was also instrumental in setting up the preceding try for his outside centre, allowing the Students to storm home in a finish for the ages.