Round 17 of the StoreLocal Hospital Cup is in the books, with the top-four all but locked in barring a mathematical miracle this weekend.
Let’s take a look around the grounds.
Brothers ended Bond’s hopes with a dramatic 31-25 win at Crosby Park on Saturday afternoon.
Bolstered by returning Wallabies James O’Connor and Harry Wilson, the Brethren defied a late Bond charge to go one step closer to securing a finals berth for 2022.
The hosts had the first two tries of the afternoon through Sam Hyne and Paddy James, before Bond hit back courtesy of Tuidraki Samusamuvodre to narrow the deficit to 12-8 at half-time.
Brothers looked to have put the game away in the second stanza as Hamish Stewart, Mosiah Christian and Ashton Watson ran in tries to open up a 31-11 lead with 15-minutes to play.
Bond would hit back, with Tyler Campbell scoring two tries in three-minutes to bring the Bullsharks within a converted try with their season on the line.
With time expired, the Gold Coasters peppered Brothers’ defence with pick-and-drives but were eventually held up over the line as the Brethren held on for a narrow six-point win.
The win likely secures fourth spot for Brothers, with Easts needing a huge bonus-point win this weekend to catch the butcher’s stripes.
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UQ ran in 15 tries to four in an incredible display of dominance against Sunnybank in Round 17 at St Lucia.
The 103-28 win tightens their grip on second spot, with GPS now needing a bonus-point win against Uni this weekend to overtake the Heavies, while the Students could still claim the minor premiership if Wests are to falter against Souths this weekend.
The hosts came out firing, opening up a 56-nil lead by the 25th minute and went into the half-time break leading 70-14.
Sunnybank stemmed the flow of points in the second-half, with Uni still finishing with a stunning 75-point win.
Reigning Alec Evans medallist Kye Oates scored four tries, while Sam Wallis, Lukas Ripley and Isaac Aedo-Kailea scored doubles and flyhalf Brad Twidale collected 33-points of his own.
The win gives UQ plenty of momentum ahead of next week’s huge Halley-Appleby Memorial clash against GPS at Yoku Road.
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GPS cemented their spot in the top four with a narrow 19-13 win over Souths at Chipsy Wood Oval on Saturday.
The Gallopers didn’t have it all their own way at Yeronga, with the hosts leading 13-7 at the break thanks to a David Nicol try and a pair of Lachie Stewart penalty goals.
A Hudson Meyer show and go try put Jeeps back into the lead early in the second stanza, before Floyd Aubrey barged his way over from close range to open up a six-point lead for the visitors.
Souths had the chance to snatch a late victory but were unable to take down a lineout as Jason Hofmeyr kicked the ball into touch to seal the win for GPS.
The Gallopers return home next round to host UQ, with a top-two finish still a reality if they can secure a big bonus-point victory over the Heavies.
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Wests consolidated their spot atop of the ladder with a 40-19 win over Norths to wrap up Round 17.
The Bulldogs were far from perfect at Hugh Courtney Oval, and the hosts took full advantage to claim a 14-7 lead at the break after a Joseph Veramu runaway try on the stroke of half-time.
The visitors came out strong in the second-forty, running in four tries in the first 20-minutes of the second-half.
Angelo Smith, Moses Sorovi, Ben Navosailagi and Cabous Eloff found the line, with Smith’s second try in the 74th minute sealing the win for the Bulldogs.
Sitting three points ahead of UQ, Wests can secure the minor premiership with a win over Souths this weekend.
The loss brings an end to Norths 2022 campaign, with the Eagles having the bye this weekend.
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