Brothers have retained possession of the Templeton Cup with a hard-fought 24-21 win over University in Round Six of the Premier Rugby Competition.
In less than desirable weather conditions, both teams battled it out through mud and rain to have a shot at victory in what was dubbed the game of the round.
Brothers were first in putting points on the board, with captain Dallan Murphy scoring a try off the back of a good pass from Dylan Taikato-Simpson. After a missed conversion, the score remained 5-0.
University quickly retaliated to this, with a try scored from a scrum five metres from the try-line. A successful conversion from Will Tuffley saw University take a two point 7-5 lead.
An intercept from Lachlan Creighton saw Brothers regain possession of the ball but this was short lived, with University’s Zac Frank scoring a try after regaining the ball. With a successful conversion, University maintained their lead.
The first half point scoring kept occurring, with a try from Brothers’ Damon Murphy after intercepting a kick. Dallan Murphy’s successful conversion brought the score to 14-12 which made it a nail-biting rest of the half for both teams.
Brothers’ confidence was given a boost with a try from Joel Rapana just before half time. An unsuccessful conversion brought the score to a tight 17-14 and University had an opportunity to level the score after a penalty was awarded. Will Tuffley’s kick was narrowly short of the goal and saw Brothers maintain their lead at half time.
The heavens opened up for the start of the second half and made game play difficult for both teams. Despite this, Damon Murphy managed to score a try which, after a conversion from Dylan Taikato-Simpson, made the score 24-14.
The remainder of the second half was often spent in University’s half, with several close calls with the try-line occurring. University’s Kevin Davis crossed the line in the last ten minutes and after the conversion, the 24-21 score was too close for comfort for players and spectators alike.
University’s nail-biting attempt at a penalty goal in the last two minutes was a good opportunity to level the score and leave both teams recording their first draws for the season. Much to Brothers’ relief, the attempt at goal was missed and the final score remained 24-21.
University coach Mick Heenan was pleased with his team’s efforts, “I think the weather today affected both teams’ plan of attack but despite that, it was a really good game of footy and both sides tried to attack well at various stages but Brothers were just that little bit better.”
Brothers coach Matt Kaye was happy to get the win and maintain Brothers’ undefeated run in the Premier Rugby competition, “The performance was good today and I’m very proud of the guys…defensively we had to step up and we did this really well.”
He is looking forward to next week’s grand final rematch against Sunnybank, “They’ve beaten us in the last two games so we’re looking forward to showing them what we have to offer this year.”
Brothers 24 (Damon Murphy 2 tries, Dallan Murphy, Anthony Pyers tries, Dallan Murphy, Dylan Taikato-Simpson cons) University 21 (Zac Frank, Ken Davis tries, Will Tuffley 3 cons)
By Rebecca Thompson