By TOM PRIMMER

An upset on the Gold Coast and a stunning comeback at Sylvan Road punctuated the Round Five action in the Hospital Cup over the weekend.

Let’s take a look at all four games.

Brothers 49 Wests 47 

In what will go down as the game of the season, Brothers claimed their second win on the trot with an incredible come-from-behind victory against Wests on Saturday. 

In front of their home crowd at Sci-Fleet Stadium, the Bulldogs raced out of the blocks to lead 40-14 late in the first half, with Callum Hicks and Carter Gordon scoring doubles to stun the visiting side. 

The hosts extended their lead to 40-28 early in the second stanza, but the remainder of the game belonged to the butcher’s stripes, as the Brethren ran in three unanswered tries to eventually snatch a dramatic victory. 

It was Nathan Carroll who locked the scores at 47-all with just seconds to play, after the winger crossed off the back of an audacious backline play which began well within the Brethren’s half. 

Carroll’s try give Rohan Saifoloi the opportunity to steal victory after the siren, and the experienced playmaker made no mistake, sealing a spectacular two-point win for his side. 

Carroll and Saifoloi were both among the Brethren’s best once again, with Saifoloi’s perfect day off the kicking tee eventually proving the difference in the scoreline.

Noah Nielsen also continued his strong form in the backrow, scoring a hat-trick.

Brothers coach Anthony Mathison said he was pleased with his side’s attitude after facing a 26-point deficit in the opening half.

“There’s a huge amount of character and a willingness to compete within our playing group,” Mathison said.

“None of us were happy with our first half performance but there’s great confidence in the ability of our group and I’m very proud of the way that we backed ourselves and showed significant improvement in the areas that had let us down.

“At halftime we spoke honestly about the parts of our game that we didn’t get right in the first 4-minutes. We set ourselves the challenge of digging in and doing whatever we needed to do to get the job done. 

“It took us all the way to full time, but I’m thrilled that we got there in the end.”

Brothers will refresh this weekend with the bye, while Wests will bid to claim their first win of the year when they host Sunnybank.

Brothers 49 (Noah Nielsen 3, Liam Richman, Matt Faessler, Luan Scherman, Nathan Carroll tries: Rohan Saifoloi 7 conversions) d Wests 47 (Carter Gordon 2, Callum Hicks 2, Jeremiah Skelton, Shea Lalagavesi, Callum Smith tries; Carter Gordon 2, Cooper Whiteside 4 conversions)

GPS 17 Sunnybank 15 

A gritty Sunnybank side almost pulled off their biggest scalp of the season, coming within just two points of heavyweights GPS at Yoku Road on Saturday. 

The Bankers led 12-0 early in the first half and went to the break with a five-point lead over the more fancied home side and led 15-10 as the game headed to its final quarter of play.

It wasn’t to be for the Dragons however, with a try to GPS backrower Adre Namalo Kauyaca and the ensuing AJ Alatimu conversion putting the Gallopers into the lead for the first time in the 65^th minute.

Jeeps held off Sunnybank in the final minutes, claiming a narrow 17-15 win. 

Jeeps coach Elwee Prinsloo was relieved to eventually secure the win, was but was less than impressed with his side’s performance. 

“We certainly got dealt a get out of jail card on Saturday,” Prinsloo said. 

“That first 40-minute performance was as bad they get. I thought we managed the second 40-minutes better and showed a little more grit and our work rate also increased. 

“That was not a performance to be proud of. This being said you take a win in any way it comes. 

“We’ve had a brief chat about the game straight after and that’s where we will leave it. It’s now focussing on a strong UQ team next weekend. The boys will be keen to rip into this one.”

Although they didn’t come away with the points, it was another determined showing from Sunnybank who continue to prove they can compete with the competition’s best. 

Lock Masi Ganita was again among his side’s best, while centre combination Liam McNamara and Rex Tapuai also starred for the Bankers.

“I was impressed at the continued improvement in our set piece and attitude in the contact zone,” Sunnybank head coach Sione Fukofuka said.

“GPS are a good attacking side and to hold them to two tries was pleasing. Our ability to stay in the game and force the opposition to play the full 80mins is another key area that has been pleasing across the three competition games played.

“Unfortunately our discipline and a lack of field position hurt us in the second half. We just didn’t have consistent time in the attacking half to exert enough pressure to contribute to more points on the score board.”

GPS will host historical rivals UQ in their final home game of the season this weekend, with Sunnybank facing Wests at the Kennel.

GPS 17 (Adre Namalo Kauyaca, Josh Collins tries; AJ Alatimu 2 conversions; Alatimu penalty) d Sunnybank 15 (Josateki Murray, Neal McNamara tries; Tom Lucas conversion, Lucas penalty)

Bond University 32 Easts 22

Bond University inflicted Easts’ first loss of the year with a 32-22 win over the premiership favourites on the Canal in Round Five. 

The Bullsharks went to the sheds up 7-5 at half-time, with Bond scrumhalf Liam Dillon and Tigers winger Shane Kennedy the only players to trouble the scores in a tightly-contested opening half.

The hosts opened up a 17-5 lead with a two-try blitz in the opening six minutes of the second stanza, backrower pairing Connor Pritchard and Dylan Rowe both running in tries to extend their side’s lead.

The Tigers hit back with a penalty try, before a Nick Turner five-pointer put the Bullsharks’ advantage out to 22-10 with 15-minutes to play and inspirational skipper Ben Mowen off the field due to a yellow card. 

Despite Mowen’s absence, Easts hit back to even the ledger, with Kennedy completing his hat-trick to lock the scores at 22-all with 10-minutes of play remaining. 

With the game on the line, it was Bond’s Ryan Menzies who stepped up, the centre charging through a gap and streaking close to 40-metres to put his side back in front. 

Former Australian Schoolboy scrumhalf Spencer Jeans went on to seal the victory for the Bullsharks, sniping from the back of a ruck to score and put the final result out to 32-22. 

The win sees Bond prise the Bunter Bowl away from Easts and claim their third win of the season. 

Easts will look to return to the winner’s circle in Round 6 when they host Norths, while Bond will travel to Chipsy Wood Oval to take on Souths. 

Bond University 32 (Liam Dillon, Connor Pritchard, Dylan Rowe, Nick Turner, Ryan Menzies, Spencer Jeans tries; Justin Bernstein conversion) d Easts 22 (Penalty try, Shane Kennedy 3 tries)

University of Queensland 50 Souths 14

The University of Queensland stamped their authority in Round Five with a comprehensive 50-14 win over Souths at St Lucia.

The Heavies scored eight tries in a resounding win, with 18-year-old Mac Grealy continuing his impressive start to life in Premier Grade with a brace of tries. 

Brad Twidale impressed at inside-centre, chiming in with a number of classy touches, scoring a try and kicking five conversions for the Students, while Shute Shield recruit Connor Vest was a standout in the backrow. 

Director of Rugby and Premier Grade assistant coach Elton Berrange said he was pleased with his side’s performance against the Magpies. 

“Souths had some good moments and put our lineouts under pressure but probably couldn’t build enough phases to create pressure,” Berrange said.

“KG Lam on the right wing troubled us and had a really good game.”

For the young Souths outfit, it was another lesson in top grade rugby from a side who have undoubtedly been the benchmark in the competition over the past decade.

The Magpies showed plenty of promise at points, however eventually came done against the consistency and experience of the Uni outfit. 

Head coach Todd Dammers said his side will continue to take learnings away from their more experienced opponents.

“Maintaining pressure and building momentum,” Dammers said of his side’s biggest takeaways against UQ. 

“We had good patches and some individual brilliance, but we failed to capitalise at key moments. You can’t falter when opportunity presents itself against a club like UQ.

“They are team of genuine class because their basics are at the forefront of the game. 

“I think the two school leavers from both sides were exciting in Lukas Ripley from Souths and Mac Grealy from UQ. Both are exciting kids and they play with freedom which is fun to watch.”

UQ will face GPS in a fiery clash this weekend, while Souths will take on Bond at home.

University of Queensland 50 (Mac Grealy 2, Brad Twidale, Pat Morrey, Connor Mitchell, Matthew Engelbrecht, Mosiah Christian, Joshua Russel tries; Twidale 5 conversions) Souths 14 (Luke Samoa, KJ Lam tries; Samoa 2 conversions)

IMAGE: KEV NAGLE / SOUTHS MAGPIES