Three teams remain undefeated after the opening two rounds of the Universities Rugby League Queensland competition, with the QUT Trouts, Griffith Gold Coast and Logan registering their second win of the season on Wednesday night.
The Gold Coast Griffith Panthers surprisingly sit atop of the ladder, recording an entertaining 52-14 thumping of the USQ Ironbarks at a bitterly cold Toowoomba.
With both teams fielding largely new outfits, it was the Panthers that had the better of the first half, crossing for six tries for a commanding 34-4 half-time lead.
And the visitors didn’t let up in the second stanza, posting a further three converted tries to resign the Ironbarks to the bottom rung of the ladder.
It was the Panthers’ forward pack that laid the foundations for the victory, with the zippy Gold Coast backline finishing off their hard work.
It was a huge night out for pacey Panthers winger, Matthew Beaton, crossing for a try and booting eight goals for a personal tally of 20 points for the match.
The QUT Trouts and UQ Hounds fought out a tight and exciting contest over at Aspley, with the home side taking a narrow 12-6 advantage into the sheds at the break.
In a tight second half arm wrestle, the Hounds hit back through centre Mitch Chad’s second try, before Trouts stalwart Steve Young cemented the 18-10 victory with a typical barnstorming effort.
QUT dedicated their gritty victory to former player and 2013 Queensland Universities representative Brandon Cox’s partner, who was involved in a terrible accident recently.
On behalf of the Universities Rugby league Queensland competition, we send our thoughts and prayers for her speedy recovery.
And at Nathan, it was the Griffith Logan Redbacks who showed plenty of venom in their entertaining 36-10 victory over the toiling Griffith Dragons.
After a first half arm-wrestle, it was the Redbacks forward pack that steamrolled their opposition, with Logan leaders Josh Afoa, Moses Ulai and Tanu Togitasi showing plenty of bite for the Redbacks.
Round three action next Wednesday sees QUT play host to the Dragons at Aspley, the Panthers make their debut at their new home ground against the Redbacks and the Dragons and Hounds meet the Ironbarks at St Lucia.
QUT Trouts 18 (Jonny Dore, Kurt Dobbin, Steve Young tries; Richard Kay 3 goals) defeated UQ Hounds 10 (Mitch Chad 2 tries; Lachlan Pill goal)
Griffith Logan Redbacks 36 (Tanu Togitasi 2, Jermoe Faraimo, Andrew Taukolo, Fagalele Laulu, Moses Ulai tries; Matt Oliphant 5, Andrew Taukolo goals) defeated Griffith Dragons 10 (Elisha Kiddie, Elijah Kiddie tries; Omair Khan goal)
Griffith GC Panthers 52 (Carl Thurgood 2, Matthew Beaton, Travis Drury, Terry McMahon, Shaun Cole, Jeff Eludeme, Ben Lowery, Jack Murphy tries; Matthew Beaton 8 goals) defeated USQ Ironbarks 14 (Elvis Jensen 2, Sean Hamel tries; Elvis Jensen goal)
