By TOM PRIMMER

Round 10 of the Hospital Cup is in the books, with the finals picture becoming clearer as we enter the final round of the season.

GPS kept their top-four hopes alive with a strong win over Bond, knocking the Gold Coasters out of the four in the process, with Brothers taking their spot after claiming a five-point win over Sunnybank.

UQ went back to the top of the ladder with a victory over Wests, while Souths beat Norths in dramatic fashion to round out the action.

Let’s take a look around the grounds.

GPS 34 v Bond University 22

It was do or die for the Gallopers on Saturday, and the side stepped up on the Gold Coast to keep their finals hopes alive.

Needing a win to stay in premiership contention, Jeeps ran in a 34-22 victory over Bond University, knocking the Gold Coasters out of the top-four for this week at least.

The visitors ran out to a 21-5 lead by half-time and were able to nullify a signature Bullsharks attacking surge in the second half to eventually claim a 12-point win.

Set-piece was at the heart of the Galloper’s performance, with veteran prop Fred Burke leading the side to ascendancy at scrum-time and around the park.

Playing his first game in Jeeps colours since 2014, Reds scrumhalf Scott Malolua also impressed and will be another huge weapon in the GPS arsenal if they are to qualify for the finals.

The win moves the side into equal third place on 29 points, and if ladder-leaders UQ can overcome Bond next week, the Gallopers will qualify for their fourth-straight finals series.

GPS head coach Elwee Prinsloo lauded his side’s performance as they face an anxious wait on results this weekend.

“I’m happy for the boys to get some reward for their efforts no doubt,” Prinsloo said.

“Considering our draw of playing three of the top four sides in the first four rounds then also playing four games away in a row to end our regular season was always going to be tough.

“We did what we needed to do yesterday so now it’s out of our hands.

“Both Brothers and Bond will be in the position we were at yesterday so no doubt we will be going for UQ and Easts next weekend.”

The loss sets up a huge intervarsity clash against UQ for the Bullsharks this weekend, with a loss condemning their season and a win possibly breaking their finals drought, while GPS have the bye.

GPS 34 (Bernard Nickel, Adre Kauyaca, Maile Ngauamo, Abela Atunaisa tries; AJ Alatimu 4 conversions, Alatimu 2 pen goals) d Bond University 22 (Nixon Taramai, Rhian Stowers, Wilson Blyth tries; Mitch Third 2 conversions, 3 pen goals)

University of Queensland 43 v Wests 28

The University of Queensland moved back into top spot on the ladder with a resounding 43-28 win over Wests at St Lucia.

The Students were in control for the majority of the 80-minutes against a dynamic Bulldogs side, running in seven tries in a comprehensive display in front of their home crowd.

Braiden Oates scored a hat-trick in the win, while Reds trio Sam Wallis, Josh Nasser and Angus Scott-Young also crossed the line in their returns to Queensland Premier Rugby scene.

Uni were particularly impressive at the breakdown, with their backrow of Pat Morrey, Will Roach and Wallis dominating on both sides of the ball, and Scott-Young also showing his class in a cameo of the bench.

The win sets up a huge clash with Bond University next week, with UQ having the chance to claim the minor premiership and knock their Gold Coast counterparts out of finals contention in the process.

“I was really pleased with how we controlled our breakdown in attack and put pressure on their breakdown,” Berrange said.

“Wests are a big, physical side but we really muscled up.

“There’s a quiet confidence in the team.

“We’re really lucky to have such an experienced group and not getting ahead of ourselves.

“We’ve got an opportunity to go into finals with momentum if we can do the job against Bond.”

Wests will look to bounce back next week when they host Souths in their final match of the season.

University of Queensland 43 (Braiden Oates 3, Pat Morrey, Sam Wallis, Josh Nasser, Angus Scott-Young tries; Jordan Lenac 4 conversions) d Wests 28 (Shea Lalagasevi, Shane Tasi, Jeremiah Skelton, Illaisa Droasese tries; Cooper Whiteside 3 conversions, Nicholas Donghi conversion)

Souths 29 v Norths 26

Souths broke through for their first win of the regular season on Saturday, claiming a dramatic 29-26 victory over Norths at Chipsy Wood Oval.

The Eagles looked to have secured victory over the young Magpies with a three-point lead as the game headed to its final minutes, before Theo Fourie burrowed his way through the Norths defence from close range to put his side back into the lead.

Fourie had a double in the win, while youngsters Bailey Tautau, Billy Rutherford and Phransis Sula- Siaosi also crossed the line as the Magpies’ youthful core continued to impress in Premier Grade rugby.

Outside centre Mike Siaki again led from the front in the young team, with 11 colts eligible players turning out for the side on Saturday.

Souths coach Todd Dammers said was pleased about the result in what has been a season of learning for his young team.

“It was lovely to come away with a win for these lads,” Dammers said.

“It’s been a difficult season on the score board, but their effort and resolve has been sensational.

“To see the club get that result and a full club clean sweep on the day was fantastic for the club.

“I thought our attack started to show glimpses of how we would like to attack.

“Our set piece continues to improve & with such a young tight five, I’m wrapped with that.”

The loss soured the return of NRC stars of Jordan Luke (Western Force) and Nick Chapman (injury) for the Eagles, although both scored tries in the narrow defeat.

Norths will be hoping to go out on a high next round when they host Sunnybank, while Souths will travel to Toowong to face Wests.

Souths 29 (Theo Fourie 2, Billy Rutherford, Bailey Tautau, Phransis Sula- Siaosi tries; Harry Leerentveld 2 conversions) d Norths 26 (Nick Chapman 2, Jordan Luke, Alec MacDonald tries; Ethan Richards 3 conversions)

Brothers 43 v Sunnybank 38

Brothers moved back into the top four with a narrow 43-28 win over Sunnybank.

It was far from easy for the Brethren, with Sunnybank putting in another gritty performance in what was the Dragons fourth loss of the season by a converted try or less.

The home side raced out a 29-5 lead by 30-minute mark, with an upset looking likely at the Bank.

However, as they’ve been known to do in recent years, the Brethren launched a second half comeback, with a Michael Wood double eventually propelling the side to their third straight win.

Nate Carroll again starred for the butcher’s stripes, while young No.9 Isaac Tarabay and midfield general Paddy James were also impressive.

The result sees Brothers move into fourth spot, but with Bond University just one point adrift in fifth spot, this weekend could still make or break the side’s season.

Head coach Anthony Mathison was pleased with his side’s attitude in coming back from the deficit, but will be looking for an improved performance at set-piece time against a powerful Easts pack this weekend.

“I was really pleased with our composure after getting behind on the scoreboard and having limited attacking opportunities in the first half,” Mathison said.

“We took our chances when the opportunities came about which was very important in the outcome of the match.

“Our set piece wasn’t at the level that it will need to be for this week.

“We’ll spend some time on this so that we get this part of our game right for the battle against Easts.”

After another tight loss, Sunnybank will be looking to turn their form into a win this weekend when they face Norths in their final match of 2020.

Brothers 43 (Michael Wood 2, Paddy James, Isaac Tarabay, Liam Richman, Nate Carroll, Billy Bulley tries; Rohan Saifoloi 4 conversions) d Sunnybank 38 (Tom Lucas, Josh Afu, Rex Tapuai, Simana Halaifonua, Joseph Faulalo, Nesta Mahina tries; Tom Lucas 4 conversions)

IMAGE: BRENDAN HERTEL / QRU