By TOM PRIMMER

The Hospital Cup top four is set in stone after a stunning final round of fixtures on Saturday. 

Easts overcame Brothers in a nailbiter at Crosby Park, claiming the minor premiership and knocking out the Brethren in the process, while Bond University stamped their ticket to Ballymore for the first finals appearance in the club’s history with a win over UQ. 

Souths and Sunnybank both finished their seasons with victories, beating Wests at and Norths respectively in tightly contested affairs. 

Let’s take a look around the grounds. 

Easts 15 v Brothers 13 

Easts claimed the 2020 Horsley Cup as minor premiers with a dramatic win over Brothers at Crosby Park on Saturday.

The Tigers got out to an 8-0 lead courtesy of an Eli Pilz penalty and Shane Kennedy try and held a five-point lead at the half-time break, before a Will Wilson try evened the ledger with 20-minutes on the clock. 

A Tom Milosevic five-pointer put the Tigers back into the lead at the 70-minute mark, but the hosts again hit back, this time through a Rohan Saifoloi try to bring the butcher’s stripes within two points. 

Usually pinpoint from the tee, Saifoloi faltered, missing the conversion as the Tigers held on to claim a 15-13 win. 

With the club championship on the line, the Premier Grade win also saw Easts claim the Doughty Shield, with Rhys van Nek and Landon Hayes among the side’s best performers in the clash. 

Tigers head coach Moses Rauluni praised his side’s attitude in the win. 

“I thought the boys work rate in defence was outstanding,” Rauluni said. 

“Brothers threw a lot at us in the first 20-minutes and the boys did an outstanding job holding them out. 

“It’s great for the club, it’s been a long time since we’ve had this many teams in seniors and colts finals.”

With their season now over, Brothers head coach Anthony Mathison said he was pleased with the progression of a host of young stars this season. 

“It was a very tough contest and unfortunately we didn’t get the result we wanted,” Mathison said. 

“I thought Easts defence was outstanding and they managed to apply a lot of pressure at the breakdown

“We are all gutted that we won’t be playing finals footy in 2020. 

“There have been plenty of challenges this year, but it was also exciting to see the development of Nathan Carroll, Hudson Creighton, Billy Bulley, Will Wilson and Isaac Tarabay into consistent performers at Premier Grade level which is evidence of the talent and depth at our club. 

“There is plenty that this group will be able to build upon leading into 2021.”

Easts will now turn their focus to a major semi-final clash with UQ at Ballymore this Saturday. 

Easts 15 (Shane Kennedy, Tom Milosevic tries; Eli Pilz conversion; Pilz penalty) d Brothers 13 (Will Wilson, Rohan Saifoloi tries; Saifoloi penalty) 

Bond University 48 University of Queensland 28 

Bond University have broken their finals drought, claiming their spot in the top four with a resounding 48-28 win over heavyweights UQ. 

The Gold Coasters again propelled themselves to victory with a second-half surge, with UQ trailing by just seven points and firmly in the game with 30-minutes to play, before the Bullsharks put the foot on the throttle to eventually claim a 20-point win. 

Max Dowd and Declan Dineen both scored doubles in the win, while Rhian Stowers and Liam Dillon also impressed in the dangerous Bond backline. 

The win sees the side finish in third spot overall, marking the club’s first trip to the Premier Grade finals in their brief history. 

Skipper Dan Boardman said the top four finish means everything for the club and its volunteers, players and supporters. 

“It was a tough and up-tempo game,” Boardman said. 

“UQ are always a sharp team so we knew if we weren’t clinical in specific areas then they would hurt us for it so the boys did an awesome job to aim up and play a great game of footy.

“It means the world to the club and to the people who have stuck by and continuously given so many hours to the Bond rugby club.”

The loss is just UQ’s second of the season and sees them surrender the minor premiership on points difference. 

Uni Director of Rugby Elton Berrange said the defeat was disappointing but could but a positive for the Heavies ahead of the finals series. 

“That was disappointing on Saturday, but Bond were really good and thoroughly deserved their win,” Berrange said. 

“They were deadly off unstructured play and controlled the game well. Their generals in Liam Dillon and Mitch Third controlled the game well for them.

“We’ll be better for Saturday. Nothing wrong with a bit of humble pie before finals. 

“We’ll focus on our strengths – breakdown, quick ball and playing direct.”

The Students will face the Tigers in the major semi-final on Saturday, while Bond will take on GPS at Ballymore on Sunday afternoon. 

Bond University 48 (Max Dowd 2, Declan Dineen 2, Nick Turner, Liam Dillon, Rhian Stowers tries; Mitch Third 5 conversions; Third penalty) d University of Queensland 28 (Sam Edwards 2, Mac Grealy, Will Roach tries; Jock Campbell 3, Jasper Mellish conversions) 

Souths 43 Wests 38 

Souths claimed their second win of the season with a narrow five-point victory over Wests in Round 11.

The Magpies held a narrow three-point lead at the half-time break, and after trading tries for much of the second stanza, the Bulldogs broke through to regain the lead at 38-36 with just minutes to play at Sylvan Road. 

However the young Magpies refused to say die, as a pick and drive try to Theo Fourie after the siren sealed a five-point win for the side. 

Returning Red Sean Farrell was impressive in the backrow for the visitors, while Roman Prasad, Luke Samoa, Reagan Leslie, Zac Munro and Seb Hanna also impressed. 

The win is the young Magpies second on the trot and caps an impressive season for Todd Dammers and his youthful group.

“I thought our attack again showed what we have the capability of doing and our set piece was particularly strong,” Dammers said. 

“A lot of people had tipped us to get smashed up front and our kids stood up. 

“We would have loved to continue with where we are at currently, but it was a little bit of a roller coaster (the season).”

“In the end our team took some great steps forward and as a club we are excited at where we are heading.”

Cooper Whiteside scored a double for the Bulldogs, with Moses Sorovi also crossing the line in his second game back in clubland after the Super Rugby season. 

Souths 43 (Khan Ah Wang, Seb Hanna, Henry Smith, Phransis Sula-Siaosi, Reagan Leslie, Theo Fourie tries; Harry Leerentveld conversion, Ah Wang 4 conversions) d Wests 38 (Cooper Whiteside 2, Callum Hicks, Lorenzo Skelton, John Martin-Stewart, Moses Sorovi tries; Whiteside 4 conversions) 

Sunnybank 36 Norths 33 

Sunnybank finished their 2020 campaign on a high, claiming a 36-33 win over Norths at Hugh Courtney Oval. 

In a tight contest, the Bankers went to the half-time break with a 26-21 lead, before a seesawing second half saw the hosts even the scores at 33-all. 

With time up on the clock, both sides had their opportunities to snatch victory, but it was a Tom Lucas penalty goal which eventually proved the difference. 

Over 30-metres out and from the sideline, it was another impressive kick from Lucas who has been one of the side’s most consistent performers all season. 

The win is the Bankers second of the year, although incredibly four of their six losses have come by a converted try or less, with the side able to compete with the top teams throughout the season. 

Dave Feao, Joseph Faulalo, Rex Tapuai and Simana Halaifonua all scored tries for the Bankers over the weekend, as the Dragons’ forward pack put in an impressive performance at Shaw Road. 

The loss brings an end to the Eagles 2020 season, with the side showing glimpses of their full potential at stages throughout the season. 

Nick Chapman starred on Saturday with a double, further proving both his importance to this Norths side and his potential to play at the next level in the future. 

Harrison Fox, Cody Blackhurst and Reece Tapine also crossed the line in front of a strong home crowd for the club’s annual Ladies Day. 

Sunnybank 36 (Penalty try, Dave Feao, Joseph Faulalo, Rex Tapuai, Simana Halaifonua tries; Tom Lucas 3 conversions; Lucas pen goal) d Norths 33 (Nick Chapman 2, Harrison Fox, Cody Blackhurst, Reece Tapine tries; Chapman 4 converions) 

IMAGE: BRENDAN HERTEL / QRU