By TOM PRIMMER

The Hospital Cup top-four is beginning to take shape, with Round Seven again delivering four cracking matches across the competition. 

The University of Queensland consolidated their spot atop of the table with a dramatic win against fourth-placed GPS, while Bond University and Easts are locked in equal second after wins over the weekend. 

To round out the action, Wests claimed their first win of the season in thrilling fashion at Sylvan Road.

Let’s take a look around the grounds. 

Wests 38 Sunnybank 31

After a slow start to the season, Wests broke through for the first win of 2020 with a seven-point victory over Sunnybank in Round Six.

It took the Bulldogs the full 80-minutes, with a dominant scrum eventually producing a penalty try to seal the win after the full-time siren. 

In front of their home crowd at Sylvan Road, Wests had the opportunity to win the game with a penalty goal, but instead chose to back their scrum which again delivered when it counted. 

Young scrumhalf Jacob Carmichael scored his maiden Premier Rugby try in the win, while Jeremiah Skelton also continued his strong start to life in Toowong, scoring a try and impressing with his work-rate and physicality around the park.

Head coach Carl Marshall said he was happy with his side’s ability to close the game out after falling short in the final minutes against Brothers last round. 

“I think we really managed that last two minutes of yesterday’s game really well,” Marshall said.

“The players made some clear decisions, backed themselves to win by playing to our strengths and followed through. 

“By doing this the team showed a lot of character particularly given the emotional drain that the previous game put on us.”

The loss is another tight defeat for Sunnybank, with the Bankers again within one try of their opponents.

“The team is playing well and creating opportunities with the ball,” Sunnybank head coach Sione Fukofuka said.

“We need to be more accurate and clinical in those key moments just before half time and at the backend of the game.

“I was really impressed with Wests physicality and work at the set piece. Their scrum was the difference and created pressure on us which culminated in the penalty try.” 

Wests host the red-hot Bond University outfit next week, while Sunnybank have the bye. 

Wests 28 (Penalty try, Jeremiah Skelton, Gavin Luka, Ben Navosailagi, Jacob Carmichael tries; Cooper Whiteside 4 conversions, Whiteside pen goal) Sunnybank 21 (Liam McNamara, Puni Aupuni, Josateki Murray, Simana Halaifonua, Joseph Faulalo tries; Tom Lucas 3 conversions).

Bond University 39 Souths 24

Bond University moved into second place on the ladder, with a 15-point win over Souths at Chipsy Wood Oval giving the side their third victory in four starts.

The young Magpies had the chance to snatch a late victory, trailing by three-points in the final 10-minutes, before a late flurry of tries to the Gold Coasters sealed a 39-24 win.

The Bullsharks’ forward pack was particularly impressive in the win, with lock Jake Upfield forcing turnovers on a number of lineouts and rocking Souths with his physicality in defence. 

Upfield also crossed for one of Bond’s six tries, with star youngsters Max Dowd and Lachlan Connors also finding the line out wide. 

Bond skipper Dan Boardman said his side is building momentum as the race towards the finals continues to heat up. 

“It’s crucial to gain momentum and consecutive wins as every game is like a grand final in this shortened season and every team has the ability to score points and win games,” Boardman said.

“Our defence was the stand out for me, everyone was so keen to get off the line and be really physical so I was extremely happy with how everyone went there.” 

Souths will again take lessons away from their encounter with the potent Bond side, as the young group continue to find combinations and experience in the top grade. 

Promising young flanker Angus Dean crossed for a double for the Magpies, while Luke Samoa was another standout, with the Romanian international leading the side around the park from fullback. 

The Magpies will host Easts next round, with Bond travelling to Sylvan Road to face Wests. 

Bond University 39 (Tomas Grenon, Lachlan Connors, Nick Turner, Jake Upfield, Max Dowd, Dylan Rowe tries; Justin Bernstein, Rhian Stowers 2 conversions, Bernstein pen goal) d Souths 24 (Roman Prasad, Angus Dean 2 tries; Luke Samoa, Khan Ah Wong 2 conversions; Samoa pen goal).

University of Queensland 29 v GPS 26

The University of Queensland and GPS wrote another chapter in their storied history, with the Students claiming a dramatic three-point win at Yoku Road. 

The Heavies headed to the half-time break with a narrow 12-7 lead, before the game opened up in the second stanza, as both sides attacking weapons kicked into gear in Ashgrove. 

The home side held a 26-19 lead as the game headed to its final five minutes, with tries to Jetrho Felemi, Emosi Tuqiri and returning scrumhalf Cullin Cooper-Jones putting the Gallopers into the lead. 

The Students refused to go away however, with a try in the 76^th minute to Conor Mitchell evening the ledger and setting up a thrilling finish. 

With the siren sounded, a dominant UQ scrum forced a penalty, giving up and coming outside back Kye Oates the opportunity to kick his side to victory with a penalty. 

Oates stepped up and calmly slotted the three-point chance, clinching the 29-26 win and capping an impressive performance of the tee.

18-year-old Mac Grealy scored another double in the win, while the Uni scrum was immense against the strength of the GPS set-piece.

The victory sees the Heavies reclaim the Halley Appleby Memorial Trophy, while they have also moved into outright first position on the competition ladder.

“I was really impressed with our whole pack, they really muscled up,” Uni Director of Rugby Elton Berrange said.

“Pat Morrey was particularly good making some important turnovers & tackles. Will Roach was everywhere and Connor Vest disrupted GPS lineout and carried well. 

“Scott Gale and Con Foley showed all their experience in a nail biter of a game and Kye Oates is the new ‘Ice Man’ after some of those conversions.

“We’re definitely improving each week but we’re a long way off where we want to be. A win like that definitely builds confidence as the group found a way to win.

“We can improve our execution at training but you can’t buy the experience we got from fighting back like that.”

Uni will be in action at Crosby Park against Brothers in Round 7, with GPS facing Norths at Hugh Courtney Oval. 

University of Queensland 29 (Mac Grealy 2, Con Foley, Conor Mitchell tries; Kye Oates 3 conversions; Oates pen goal) GPS 26 (Josh Collins, Jethro Felemi, Emosi Tuqiri, Cullin Cooper-Jones tries; AJ Alatimu 3 conversions).

Easts 31 Norths 7 

Easts returned to the winner’s circle over the weekend with a resounding 31-7 win over Norths at David Wilson Field. 

The Tigers opened up an 18-nil lead by the half-time break, and only extended their lead in the second stanza to record a 24-point victory over the Eagles. 

Norths outside centre Reece Tapine crossed for his side’s only try in the final minutes, but it was merely consolation as the Tigers claimed their third win to go into equal second spot. 

Captain Ben Mowen and Richie Asiata both crossed for doubles in the victory, while Aidan Toua again impressed with his leadership and playmaking vision at fullback. 

Easts head coach Moses Rauluni lauded his side’s experience against a gritty Norths outfit.

“We defended pretty well, keeping Norths to nil until the last 10-minutes,” Rauluni said.

“We knew they would try and run the ball a lot in the second half and try to use their speed out wide so I was very happy with our patience in defence. 

“We just have to work on our patience in attack when we get into our opposing red zone. A few times we turned over the ball pretty easily and they got out of their half easily.”

The Tigers will look to make it two wins on the trot when they take on Souths at Yeronga this weekend, while Norths host GPS.

Easts 31 (Ben Mowen 2, Richie Asiata 2, Shane Kennedy tries; Eli Pilz 3 conversions) Norths 7 (Reece Tapine try; Jacob Prideaux conversion).

IMAGE: BRENDAN HERTEL / QRU