Brothers secure Hospital Cup in front of blockbuster crowd at Ballymore
Brothers have claimed the Hospital Cup for the first time in seven years with a 31-28 victory over University of Queensland, in the 2016 BLK Queensland Premier Rugby grand final in front of over more than 9,200 spectators at Ballymore.
In his 198th game for the Brethren, captain Nathanuel Gendle struggled to describe the emotion of knocking off University in the first grand final played between the two sides since 1990.
“It’s amazing, no more words, it’s unbelievable. This has been building for two-to-three years and the young blokes who’ve learned from experiences in the past showed it today,” said Gendle.
While Gendle struggled to convey his excitement, head coach Carl Marshall acknowledged that the victory has been many years in the making.
“It means a lot. We probably lost some games we shouldn’t of over the last few years and we rectified that today by executing our game plan. We beat a fantastic University outfit, who were outstanding all year,” he said.
Three minutes into the match the Brethren were awarded a penalty within kicking range, but captain Gendle opted for the touchline.
Off the resulting line-out, flyhalf Stefano Hunt dummied and sliced straight through before finding his skipper looming up the inside. Gendle crossed for the first try of the match in front of a sea of blue and white on Ballymore hill.
After being parked on their own line for much of the opening 10 minutes, University launched an attacking raid from deep inside their own half. The Heavies breached Brothers’ 22 and converted territory into points when Jack Cornelsen dived over.
With the scores level at 7-all, the Brethren were gifted a penalty and Mitch Felsman stepped up to put Brothers ahead. But their lead was short lived, as Pincus responded with a penalty goal of his own.
25 minutes into the match, University hit the front for the first time when flyhalf James Dalgleish took a leaf out of his opposite number’s book, dummying and showing great footwork to beat Brothers’ fullback Patrick James on his way to the try line.
The lead changed hands when Brothers’ outside centre Elih Baillie threw a looping cut out pass to leading Premier Rugby try scorer Mitch Felsman who raced away out wide. The winger converted his own try to put Brothers ahead 17-15.
Moments later, the Brethren extended their lead when towering lock David Findlay-Heneway crashed over from close range.
Right on the cusp of half-time, the Heavies reduced the deficit to six points through the boot of Pincus. After an exhausting end-to-end first half, the teams headed into the sheds with Brothers leading 24-18.
Early in the second half, the Brethren were handed two shots at goal but Felsman was unsuccessful with both attempts. University sharp shooter Tom Pincus had no issues, stepping up to split the uprights.
The high scoring, free flowing nature of the first-half slowed down for the majority of the second stanza, as the pressure of the occasion saw both teams lift in intensity.
But with 10 minutes remaining in the match, Stefano Hunt broke through University’s defence before switching with fullback Patrick James, who crossed for Brother’s only try of the second half.
University looked down and out until their electric backline caught Brothers napping out wide. With his first touch of the game, replacement winger Harry Parker scored out wide to set up a thrilling final three minutes.
University had one last opportunity but Tony Shaw Medalist Taniela Tupou pilfered the Heavies’ ball. The teams set for one final scrum before Brothers booted the ball into the Maclean Stand to secure the victory.
Marshall, who claimed his first Hospital Cup as head coach of Brothers, was ecstatic his side held on at the end.
“It’s exciting, it means so much to the boys. We worked so hard and it’s such a magic moment for the club, we’ll cherish it forever,” he said.
“We adhered to the game plan, had good field position, built pressure and caused errors. We probably didn’t finish things off as well as we could of but we controlled the game and were deserved winners in the end I thought.”
The victory is Brother’s first since 2009, and the occasion was made more special for Brothers flanker Charlie Freney, who played his 100th game for the club. Charlie and his father, former Wallabies, Queensland and Brothers great Michael Freney, are now only the second father and son duo in Brothers history to both reach the milestone.
Brothers 31 (N Gendle, M Felsman, D Findlay-Henaway, P James tries; M Felsman 4 Conversions, 1 penalty) def University of Queensland 28 (J Cornelsen, J Dalgleish, H Parker tries; T Pincus 2 Conversions, 3 Penalties)
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