University played an impressive game of catch up in Round 5 of the Premier competition to gain a 47-25 win over Sunnybank.
From the word go, Sunnybank seemed quietly confident. With much of the possession in their favour during the initial stages, they were able to get the scoreboard moving with a penalty conversion from Dion Taumata in the first 5 minutes of the game.
In what could have been a potential try for the University side, the play was interrupted by a textbook interception from Shane Seiuli, who raced 70 metres to the put the ball over the line for the first try of the day.
A misdemeanour from the Uni side saw them down a player, which gave Sunnybank another two easy tries on the wing stretching the score line out to 22-3 in the away teams favour.
The disheartened University team seemed on the back foot, but the return of their 15th player also saw the return of points on the scoreboard.
Captain Tim Buchanan got the ball rolling quite literally with a great set up sending Matt Arvier over the line bringing the margin down to only 7 points before the half time whistle.
It seemed as if the tides had changed in the second half, with Uni squaring up the game at 25 all with a try from Frasier Hess.
The pressure was starting to take its toll on the once confident Sunnybank side.
Will Tuffley and Stephen O’Leary put on a great show for the home crowd making the cold conditions worth the trip and saw Uni gain control on the scoreboard for first time in the game.
The tightened defence from Uni meant the chance for a comeback from the Sunnybank side was slim.
One last effort from the home team proved successful in a group effort that gave Kevin Davies the final try of the day, which was certainly recognised by the UQ women who had donned their Sunday best to support the boys at UQ ladies day.
Calm and collected University coach Mick Heenan, took a breath out after the half time break and was pleased with the comeback.
“We had a bit of difficulty earlier on, but we got those two tries before half time and just built our confidence from there.”
In what looked to be a win for Sunnybank in the earlier stages, coach Rod Seib was disappointed they didn’t come out on top.
“It was disappointing we had an opportunity to close the game out before half time, but some bad decisions just lost our confidence.”
“We need to set ourselves up with the ability to close out.”
University 47 (Tim Mosey, Matt Arvier, Stephen O’Leary, Frasier Hess, Kevin Davies, Ryan Leeson tries; Will Tuffley 5 cons 2 pens) def Sunnybank 25 (Shane Seiuli 2, Rex Tapaui tries; Dion Taumata 4 cons 1 pen)
By Lauren Marer