The rivalry between the Bull Sharks and Tigers continues to be the highlight of the 2023 Queensland Premier Rugby season with Bond claiming another after-the-siren victory over the ladder leaders.
After being humbled by Wests last week, the Bull Sharks bounced back in the best possible fashion when a successful Hamish Roberts penalty kick delivered a 32-29 victory that puts Bond in second position on the ladder.
In the season’s first meeting between the two sides it was a try from Rhian Stowers after the siren that delivered Bond victory.
The Bull Sharks reclaimed the Batty-Bremner-Thomas Trophy with Saturday’s win and, for the first time in club history, will have their name inscribed on the Welsby Cup, a trophy rich in history in Queensland rugby that is contested between the first and second-placed teams after the first nine rounds of competition.
The trophy did reside on the Gold Coast in 2003 and 2005 when the Breakers, who eventually merged with Bond, were the custodians.
How it unfolded:
Bond had to turn up physically against the Tigers and they did that from the get-go, controlling all the possession in the opening exchanges before a rolling maul led to the first try of the match to Rhys Sherrif.
A charge-down by captain Lachlan Connors put the home side under pressure and after a powerful run from Tomas Grenon, Connors was there in support to receive the offload and burrow his way over for the try.
However, the Tigers soon found their groove scoring two quick tries, the first by bashing their way through the forwards and the second courtesy of skill from their outside backs to make it 12-10 after 30 minutes.
The seesawing nature of the contest continued as Bond worked their way down the field and once again had success through their rolling maul with enforcer Sheriff collecting his second. Again, the Tigers struck back with a late try in the corner, reducing Bond’s lead to two points at half time.
Bond made a poor start to the second half when prop Levi Samuela was yellow carded for a careless high shot. The home side quickly capitalised to retake the lead.
The men from the Gold Coast’s season has been built around resilience and that spirit never wavered. English flyhalf Dan Lancaster danced his way through the Easts defensive line, slamming it down for the try and after another successful penalty goal the score was 29-22.
But it would not be enough to secure the victory with the Tigers scoring out wide to make it 29-all with three minutes left on the clock.
Bond’s first chance to claim victory came when the Tigers were penalised for a tackle in the air on Rhian Stowers.
Hamish Roberts’ kick from 52 metres fell short but this game would have more to give.
Flanker Connor Pritchard went straight over the top of the ball, winning the penalty for his side that gave Roberts a second crack at glory.
This time round Roberts and slotted it through, securing the historic victory for the Bull Sharks 32-29.
What they said:
Returning English flyhalf Dan Lancaster made his first start of the season and controlled the game superbly in the close affair.
After a disappointing performance a week ago, there was plenty of pressure on Bond to perform this week.
“It was anyone’s game at half time and we probably did everything we could to lose it but credit to the forwards who dug in, and we got the result,” Lancaster said.
“Our message has just been one step at a time. We got smashed here last year so It was on us to rewrite some wrongs within group.”
The former England Under 20s flyhalf returns to Bond after completing his season with the Ealing Trailfinders in the UK.
“I was in a bit of rut last year but I just loved the club and the first thing I wanted to do was come back and play in this competition,” he said.
What’s next:
With the win, Bond move back up second on the ladder, the West Bulldogs by one point. They return to The Canal next weekend for a clash with a Brothers outfit that is brimming with confidence after a 52-point demolition of the Sunnybank Dragons.
Full Results:
Colts two: L 29-5
Third grade: L 26-14
Colts one: L 26-22
Premier Women: L 11-10
Second grade: L 24-20
First grade: W 32-29