Easts and UQ produced vital wins in round sixteen while GPS and Sunnybank secured comfortable victories.

Catch a review of the action below.

Easts 24 v Brothers 22

Easts’ season is still alive after a stunning last gasp win over Brothers at Bottomley Park over the weekend.

The first forty minutes belonged entirely to Brothers as they led 22-0 at the main break in trying conditions. Lock Ryan Smith opening the scoring in his one-hundredth cap for the Brethren. Jonte Connolly and Jaiden Christian continued the first-half onslaught from a Brothers’ side staking their claim for a top two ladder position.

With their season on the line, Easts’ rallied to completely reverse the momentum of the game in the second half. An enterprising 42^nd minute five pointer to winger Jordan Carriera stunned the Tigers and their home fans into action. A penalty try followed just five minutes later before Easts’ daring offensive play saw Tyrees Wilson cross in the corner to bridge the gap to five points.

With the home crowd heaving and Brothers’ down to fourteen men, Easts’ produced a massive rolling maul that saw fullback Meli Dreu fall over the line on the eightieth minute. The try scorer held his nerve to execute the match winning 82^nd minute conversion that sent the home fans sprint onto Bottomley Park in celebration.

Easts’ top four hopes are still alive heading into the bye while Brothers’ slide down to fourth ahead of a meeting with Bond.

Sunnybank 49 v Souths 19

Sunnybank submitted their fourth win of the year against Souths at Biggs Oval on Saturday.

Souths’ opening the scoring for the afternoon thanks to a smooth backline play that allowed Justin Springhall to score. A red card for foul play against Souths allowed Sunnybank to capitalise with four tries on the trot to lead 28-7 at the big break. 

An exchange of brilliant passes led to Luke Everson extending the Dragon’s lead. Tom Lucas produced two special five pointers as Sunnybank continued their enterprising attack. Souths’ never gave up and scored two late tries of their own.

Sunnybank will face UQ next weekend while Souths and GPS will do battle.

Bond 21 v UQ 24

UQ claimed a stirring and top four shaping victory against Bond on the Gold Coast over the weekend.

Both sides displayed final’s like quality in a hotly contested first half that saw UQ lead 10-7 at the interval. Points weren’t easy to come by with Bond’s Connor Pritchard and UQ’s TJ Siakasini the only try scorers of the opening stanza.

UQ’s hooker Josh Nasser hit and spun his way to the try line to extend the Student’s lead to ten points with ten minutes to play in the match. Bond quickly hit the go button by scoring two tries in three minutes thanks to ball playing genius from Joey Fittock and Tyler Campbell. 

Trailing by four in the 86^th minute, reserve prop Reuben Leilua finally barged through the brave Bond defence to secure an inspired UQ victory and put a dagger through the Bull Shark’s season.

UQ rise to second place and play Sunnybank next week while Bond fall to sixth ahead of a decisive match against Brothers.

GPS 33 v Norths 3

GPS are now in third place on the ladder after a comfortable win over Norths at Yoku Road on Saturday.

Norths showed their steel and determination to only trail GPS 7-3 in a bruising first forty minutes of rugby. Winger Floyd Aubrey athletically finished off some good work from the Gallopers in the 4^th minute. No further tries were added in the first half thanks to Norths’ defensive resolve.

The Gallopers were able to find their feet in the second half and pile on four unanswered tries and secure some vital bonus points. Emosi Tuqiri starred with a try of his own as well as a brilliant short ball that set up Adre Namalo Kauyaca under the sticks. Eagles’ lock Masalosalo Tutaia put a bone-rattling shot on GPS’ skipper Michael Richards in a rare second half highlight for the visitors.

GPS will look to solidify a final’s birth against Souths next week while Norths will meet Wests in their final game of the season.