The Australian Catholic University have snuck to the top of the Universities Rugby League Queensland ladder after stunning reigning premiers Griffith Logan Redbacks last night.
The ACU boys hit the Redbacks with a first-half onslaught that netted four tries and a 24-10 lead over the home side.
Mofati Afoa started the night with a try for the Redbacks, but when hooker Matt Barham ducked over in the 14th minute, ACU took the lead for good.
Jack Peoples produced a 60m pearler to make it 12-4 to ACU, and two more tries just before halftime gave the visitors a match-winning break.
The Redbacks stormed back in the second half through Ben Ahsam and James Fuli to get it back to 24-20 with 20 minutes left.
But when Barham nabbed his second try with seven minutes left, ACU had the competition lead.
At Griffith Nathan’s campus, the Dragons produced a fine display to hold of the Queensland University of Technology Trouts.
The Dragons led 16-6 at halftime and had increased that lead to 26-12 midway through the second half.
The Trouts closed to 26-18, but a late goal from Jesse Domic helped the Dragons to join ACU at the top with a 28-22 victory.
On the Gold Coast, three tries from Michael Balanda could not get the Griffith GC Panthers over the top of the University of Queensland Hounds.
The match was close all night with the two teams heading into the break at 16-16.
But an extra goal from Chris Hansen proved the difference, with the Hounds hanging on for a 22-20 victory to put themselves right back in the finals mix.
Next Wednesday, ACU and Griffith Dragons will battle for the outright competition lead as the Catholic campus opens a new ground at Banyo.
The Panthers will travel up the M1 to meet the Redbacks at Logan, while QUT will host the Hounds at Bishop Park.
URLQ Round 6 Results
ACU 28 (Matt Barham 2, Jack Peoples, Geoff Fabila, Leon Yeatman tries; Yeatman 4 goals) defeated Griffith Logan Redbacks 20 (Mofati Afoa, Cyprian Manutai, Ben Ahsam, James Fuli tries; Brandon Vaalu 2 goals) at Griffith Logan campus.
UQ HOUNDS 22 (Max Martin, Kane Grubb, Oscar Pennifax, Chris Hansen tries; Chris Hansen 3 goals) defeated Griffith GC Panthers 20 (Michael Balanda 3, Jordan Binge tries; Cody Feltham 2 goals) at Parkwood RLFC.
Griffith Dragons 28 (Mason Clarke, Callum Gavin, Sinaumea Taufao, Panapa Asiata, Kulima Panapa tries; Jesse Domic 4 goals) defeated QUT Trouts 22 (Cameron Stewart, Luke Ford, Blake Trace, Jayden Trace tries; Blake Trace 3 goals) at Griffith Nathan campus.
URLQ Ladder
14 points – ACU (+30), Griffith Dragons (+22)
12 points – QUT Hounds (+16), Griffith Logan Redbacks (+14), UQ Hounds (-14)
8 points – Griffith GC Panthers (-64)
