By Tim Mosey

Round 5 Scores: Souths 33 d Wests 31; GPS 40 d Norths 17; Brothers 47 d Bond University 8; Easts 45 d Sunnybank 17.

Consistency is key

Norths came back to earth with a thud. GPS were far too good for the home side and raced away to a 19-0 lead at halftime. They never looked in danger of losing after that. Norths would be disappointed not to capitalise on last week’s victory over Wests and missed the width and dexterity of Duncan Paia’aua’s passing game.

Brothers are back

Bond went down 19-3 early against Brothers at Crosby Rd. An accurately landed cross field kick by former Brethren winger Pierce Fitzgerald resulted in a try to Adam Gauder just on halftime to go in with hope at 19-8. Bond looked fatigued and with a mounting tackle count couldn’t contain Brothers in the second half who ran away with it 47-8.

Tigers roar

Easts started with a flourish against Sunnybank at David Wilson Field scoring within 2 minutes. Sunnybank showed their speed out wide with a combination of flat passes from fly half Jake Strachan and fullback Josh Coward and edged ahead. Coward put the Bank further ahead with some individual skill, chipping and regathering to launch over in the corner. The outside backs from both sides continued to shine and Easts went into halftime ahead off the back of their winger Savenaca Totovosau. Easts sealed the result with a charge down and finished the match 45-17.

Tight at the Kennel

Souths and Wests played out a close encounter at Sylvan Rd, with the Magpies victorious 33-31. The entertaining match see-sawed back and forth. Wests seemed to have control up front mauling over for two first half tries. Souths expansive play and their white hot winger Emori Waqavulagi enabled them enough breathing space and they looked the more likely of the sides for the majority of the match. Quade Cooper and Lachlan Maranta both left the field early in the first half much to the disappointment of the healthy Sunday afternoon crowd.

Fijian Wingers

The attacking flair of sides such as Souths, Norths and Easts has been punctuated in the opening rounds by a trio of Fijian flyers. Varesa Matiateni (Eagles), Waqavulagi (Souths) and Totovosau (Easts) have set the competition alight with their attacking prowess. Waqavulagi was untouchable today at Sci-Fleet Stadium against the Doggies. With Reds winger Filipo Daugunu (Wests) contracted to QLD as a result of club form, who knows what is in store for any of these exceptional talents.

Referees in the background

The refereeing seemed to be in the background today. Nic Berry (Wests v Souths) and Shane Barr (Easts v Sunnybank) had low key matches and allowed the players to play. Younger referees take note – less is more in club rugby.