Griffith Logan Redbacks have gone from wooden spooners to University Rugby League Queenslands minor and major premiers in just one season after an incredible 24-20 victory over the reformed University of Queensland Hounds.
Leading for much of the way at Davies Park in West End last night, Logan captain Tyrone Girle said his side worked the hardest to become the team to beat.
I can guarantee that we worked harder than any other side this year, he said.
We were playing stupid but we held on and our belief in each other got us there in the end.
Next year we aim to dominate.
After a massive try-saving tackle from UQ fullback George Morsell, captain Ben Tassell had believed his side could mount a comeback but admitted a lacklustre start.
It was a crazy game and we werent up to our standards in the first half but we came good in the second half and made a go of it, he said.
Next year we are going to hit the preseason, we have come a long way and we want to build on what we have done this year.
After early handling errors from the Hounds, Logan pounced after just seven minutes through big second rower Taniela Illargana as he steamrolled over his smaller opponents.
The second try of the evening came through in-form Morsell in a brilliant solo effort stepping around three players to dive in for the try in the 20th minute.
Lachlan Pill was able to convert as the Hounds lead for the first time in the match by 6-4.
Logan then pinned UQ down in their half scoring through big lock Tim Ah Sam in the 23rd minute of the match and prop Joshua Afoa in the 30th minute.
UQ looked lost for vision as they fell to a 14-6 slump but Morsell was once again their hero as he used his brilliant footwork to score another solo try out wide.
Following a conversion from Pill, Logan took the lead 14-12 into halftime.
More silly errors helped UQ back in the game as Carl Zamataro scored just after halftime but their 18-14 lead only lasted five minutes.
Taera Arobati managed to score for the minor premiers taking them to a two-point advantage but a Pill penalty goal equalised the game at 20-all with just 10 minutes on the clock.
Big Arobatis second try would come with nine minutes left and after a tense finish in which the Hounds attacked the try line as the siren sounded, the Redbacks held on to complete their fairy-tale win to secure their first URLQ title.
Leading for much of the way at Davies Park in West End last night, Logan captain Tyrone Girle said his side worked the hardest to become the team to beat.
I can guarantee that we worked harder than any other side this year, he said.
We were playing stupid but we held on and our belief in each other got us there in the end.
Next year we aim to dominate.
After a massive try-saving tackle from UQ fullback George Morsell, captain Ben Tassell had believed his side could mount a comeback but admitted a lacklustre start.
It was a crazy game and we werent up to our standards in the first half but we came good in the second half and made a go of it, he said.
Next year we are going to hit the preseason, we have come a long way and we want to build on what we have done this year.
After early handling errors from the Hounds, Logan pounced after just seven minutes through big second rower Taniela Illargana as he steamrolled over his smaller opponents.
The second try of the evening came through in-form Morsell in a brilliant solo effort stepping around three players to dive in for the try in the 20th minute.
Lachlan Pill was able to convert as the Hounds lead for the first time in the match by 6-4.
Logan then pinned UQ down in their half scoring through big lock Tim Ah Sam in the 23rd minute of the match and prop Joshua Afoa in the 30th minute.
UQ looked lost for vision as they fell to a 14-6 slump but Morsell was once again their hero as he used his brilliant footwork to score another solo try out wide.
Following a conversion from Pill, Logan took the lead 14-12 into halftime.
More silly errors helped UQ back in the game as Carl Zamataro scored just after halftime but their 18-14 lead only lasted five minutes.
Taera Arobati managed to score for the minor premiers taking them to a two-point advantage but a Pill penalty goal equalised the game at 20-all with just 10 minutes on the clock.
Big Arobatis second try would come with nine minutes left and after a tense finish in which the Hounds attacked the try line as the siren sounded, the Redbacks held on to complete their fairy-tale win to secure their first URLQ title.
