By Michael Atkinson

Following the weekend, Brothers and Souths joined University of Queensland as 2016 Queensland Premier Rugby finals contenders, while Sunnybank are one win away from clinching the remaining spot.

Brothers def. Bond – Gold Park, Toowoomba

Brothers defeated Bond University 35-22 in Toowoomba, continuing their annual tradition of taking one home game a year to a regional location.

Bond started the game well, with their season hinging on a win in this match, scoring the first try through Irish import Oisin Heffernan.

Brothers hit back with two quick tries to Angus Fowler and Criff Tupou; the try to Fowler was the result of a great linebreak and offload by outside centre Elih Baillie. The lead changed again when Bond centre Jordan Ropana barged over after a Mitch Third penalty goal and it looked like the Gold Coast men would head in to the break in front. Brothers executed a late strike however through winger George Partridge who found himself in space with only the line in front of him.

Workhorse skipper, Nathanuel Gendle scored a typical straight line try when the game resumed in the second half, giving Brothers a 13-point advantage. But with their slim finals hopes slipping away, Bond found an opportunity to attack; winger Waylen Skipps taking an intercept and running 50 metres to score, cutting the deficit to six points.

Brothers proved their contender credentials by holding Bond at bay and sealing the win with a late try to Mitch Felsman – taking the flying winger’s tally to 20 tries from 14 games.

Souths def. Wests – Chipsy Wood Oval

Souths turned in a dominant performance to make sure they return to the finals in 2016, defeating Wests 35-17 in front of their home fans.

The Magpies opened with two early tries before Wests struck back with two of their own to draw level.

The home team were proving to be too strong for the Bulldogs in the wider channels, backrower Isireli Naisarani splitting the defence out wide and crossing for the first of two tries to give Souths a 19-12 half time lead.

Making it a two-point ball game, Wests were first to score in the second half, putting significant pressure on the defending premiers. A second try to Naisarani allowed Souths some breathing space, which they needed for the next 10 minutes as Wests set up camp in the Magpies’ 22 metre zone.

The Souths defence withstood a barrage of Bulldogs attacks, with the visitors throwing everything at the home side only to come undone by their own errors.

In the end Souths proved to be too strong, punishing Wests when they got the opportunity. The fifth and final try for the Magpies came against the run of play as they went 80 metres down field before halfback Brendan Ward collected quick ball from the break down to dive over.

Easts def. GPS – David Wilson Field

Easts have complicated GPS’s finals charge with a strong 30-12 victory at home.

The Tigers started with gusto, Michael Gunn cutting the Gallopers’ defence to shreds in the first minute and Andrew Krelle scoring a couple of minutes later. The visitors were forced to absorb a mountain of pressure from Easts during the first quarter, but they edged their noses in front when Waita Setu hit a textbook ‘unders-line’ off Nigel Genia to score, and veteran winger Dan Nethery converted to make it 7-5.

Another veteran, Matt Brandon, showed he’s still got youthful legs, kicking a 45 metre penalty for Easts on the stroke of half time to put his side in front at the break.

It would be the last change of the lead as the Tigers bared their claws, leaping further ahead with three second half tries. The pick of the bunch came from a quick tap by Sean Cox who caught the Gallopers defence napping before offloading, the ball eventually landing in the hands of Brandon who fired a slick backhand pass to Simon Bartley who ran around to place the ball under the posts.

GPS did make a brief comeback in the final 10 minutes with a try to fullback Dan Earley cutting the deficit to six, before Brandon’s miracle ball put Bartley away.

The win means GPS will have to win both of their remaining matches, one of them with a bonus point, and hope that Sunnybank lose to UQ this weekend, if they’re to have any hope of making the finals.

Sunnybank def. Norths – Hugh Courtney Oval

Sunnybank’s narrow three-point win over Norths has put them nine-points clear of fifth place on the ladder, virtually guaranteeing their place in the finals for 2016. The Dragons were made to work for it however, as Norths took a 6-0 lead into the sheds at half time.

The Eagles continued to flex their defensive muscle after the break, shutting out the Dragons for the first 10 minutes and they turned that pressure into points shortly after. In an effort that will be hard to top as try of the season, No.8 Api Biss collected a Sunnybank kick on his 22 metre line and attacked down the left hand touchline. As he approached the Sunnybank defence, the loose forward chipped ahead. Winger, Kallum Mackay was flying through putting pressure on the Dragons scrambling defence and he got a toe to the ball, winning the race to regather and dot down.

Trailing 11-0, the Dragons finally seemed to wake from their slumber; flanker Chazz Mahina registered the visitor’s first points in the 60^th minute, rolling his way over the try line.

Sunnybank hit the lead in the 70^th minute when No.8 Jerry Faamausili barged over, a 10 minute burst from the Dragons proving to be all they needed for victory.

The Eagles will lament some poor goal kicking as they left eight crucial points behind in missed kicks.