By TOM PRIMMER

Bond University are just one win away from a maiden Hospital Cup Grand Final, after narrowly overcoming GPS in the minor semi-final at Ballymore on Sunday. 

In the major semi-final, the University of Queensland qualified for their fifth-straight Grand Final appearance with a strong win over Easts on Saturday. 

Let’s take a look at both games. 

University of Queensland 37 Easts 19 

UQ stamped their authority at Ballymore on Saturday afternoon with a resounding 37-19 win over minor premiers Easts. 

The Students raced out of the blocks to lead 10-0 by the 10^th minute, and rarely looked troubled against the Tigers. 

Uni went on to score five tries to their opponents one, with four Eli Pilz penalties goals keeping the Tigers in the game on the scoreboard. 

The 18-year-old Mac Grealy starred on the big stage, crossing for a double with one coming from an inch-perfect sidestepping effort around Easts winger Shane Kennedy. 

The Heavies were equally impressive at the breakdown, with the likes of Pat Morrey, Sam Wallis and Connor Vest crucial for the side, while lock Fergus Lillicrap and destructive centre James Wood also impressed. 

The win was soured by an injury to dynamic Reds forward Angus Scott-Young in the opening exchanges, although he will be well covered by Lillicrap come Grand Final day. 

UQ Director of Rugby Elton Berrange said he was pleased with his side’s performance as they aim to secure another Hospital Cup title. 

“I was really happy with the way we looked after our breakdown,” Berrange said. 

“It’s still an area for improvement but it really helped with our attack.

“I also thought our defence was strong for long periods where Easts had us under pressure.

“We’ll enjoy the week off from playing but there’ll be no let off at training. It’ll be high intensity and competitive. 

“We’ll work on our scrum. We’ve come a long way but still have plenty improvement in us”

With a week off now, the Heavies will wait to see whether they’ll meet Easts or Bond University in the decider in two week’s time. 

University of Queensland 37 (Mac Grealy 2, Pat Morrey, James Wood, Alex Sa’aga tries; Jock Campbell 3 conversions; Campbell 2 pen goals) d Easts 19 (Aidan Toua try; Eli Pilz conversion; Pilz 4 penalties) 

Bond University 32 GPS 27 

The bright lights of Ballymore failed to distract Bond University on Sunday, the Bull Sharks defeating GPS 32-27 in their first outing in a finals match. 

The Gold Coasters trailed for much of the game, and the Gallopers looked set to again qualify for the preliminary final. 

Enter Liam Dillon, with the livewire scrumhalf sniping through the Jeeps defence and streaking away to put his side into a match-winning five-point lead in the 70^th minute. 

The hard work wasn’t done there for the Bond outfit, with the side forced to absorb an immense attacking raid by a desperate GPS side in the final minutes.

After forcing both Jeeps wingers into touch and holding the surging Gallopers attack up, the game came down to one scrum and it was Bond who came out on top, with Zane Nonggorr and Nick Turner defying the usually dominant GPS front row to secure a penalty and put the result beyond doubt. 

Turner scored a double in the win and was particularly impressive alongside front row mates Egan Siggs and Nonggorr, while Angus Blyth also showed his class in the second row. 

Halves combination Dillon and Mitch Third led the side with composure, with Third’s superior strike rate of the tee crucial in the end result. 

“We’re not in the finals to make up the numbers and the forwards did an incredible job being physical and giving the backs the chance to play some of the expansive footy we love,” Bond captain Dan Boardman said. 

The loss brings an end to an up and down season for GPS, with the side hampered by injuries and inconsistency throughout 2020. 

Jeeps head coach Elwee Prinsloo praised Bond’s ability to stay in the fight in what was a bruising encounter at Ballymore. 

“We hadn’t played particularly well but I thought going into second half we could build on our momentum and take the game away from them,” Prinsloo said. 

“We had some early issues with our scrum but once we settled we started building good pressure. 

“We just couldn’t convert some of our opportunities, credit to them as they used their opportunities better on the day.

“We knew it was going to be tough. We had to play ten games straight before a break and six of our eight competition games were away from home with five games straight on the road. 

“I am very proud of our group to again make the semi-finals, but we need to get better in not just making it but be more accurate and put ourselves in the position to win when we get there. 

“We had to build with a new team and in shorter season it was a challenge to find that cohesion we were chasing.

“Overall we are by no means happy with our season but we certainly proud of our efforts to stay in the fight for top four again. We will be back better next season no doubt.”

Bond will take on Easts next round as they bid to meet UQ in the Grand Final. 

Bond University 32 (Nick Turner 2, Max Dowd, Liam Dillon tries; Mitch Third 3 conversions; Third 2 pen goal) d GPS 27 (Ratu Vio Batibasaga 2, Jono Kent, Josh Collins tries; AJ Alatimu 2 conversions; Alatimu pen goal) 

IMAGE: BRENDAN HERTEL / QRU