GRIFFITH Logan Redbacks made history this week when they secured their third URLQ premiership in a row in a gripping extra-time triumph over the University of Queensland Hounds.
It took a field goal from hooker Moses Ulai in the sixth minute of golden-point extra time to secure the 2015 Universities Rugby League Queensland grand final win.
A devastated Hounds outfit can count themselves extremely unlucky after they led for all but two minutes of the game.
The Hounds looked like they were on their way to winning the competition from fourth spot when fullback Chris Hanson scored his second try midway through the second half to snatch an 18-8 break.
But the Redbacks stormed back, with a try in the corner to James Fuli with two minutes on the clock drawing the game at 18-18.
The Redbacks missed the conversion that would have given them victory in regulation time, and the teams were on to golden point.
But ball security in extra time cost the Hounds, with Logan’ halfback Dwayne Urquhart getting the first shot at field goal.
That sailed wide, but when the Hounds rushed at Urquhart as he set for another attempt, dummy half Ulai threw a dummy and hit the match winner from straight in front of the posts.
“It was the first time I have ever seen him kick a field goal,” Logan Redbacks’ coach Nathan Osborne said after the game.
“He said he went to pass to Dwayne (Urquhart), but they all chased at him so he threw a dummy and took the shot.
“UQ came out firing at us and it was a great performance to beat the top-ranked QUT in the semi-final and then play like they did – they certainly had me worried.
“But for our boys to come back and show the heart they did was certainly pleasing.”
Hounds’ lock David Todd was named man of the match for a stand-out performance, closely followed by team-mate Hanson and Ulai.
After the game, Redbacks’ captain Tyrone Girle was named the URLQ Player of the Year at the presentation dinner.
QUT halfback Brendan Baker was named the Back of the Year, while competition newcomers Australian Catholic University were awarded with their prop Bart Ritchie named Forward of the Year.
Meanwhile, Griffith Gold Coast Panthers’ centre Travis Drury has been promoted to the Australian Universities squad to tour New Zealand next month.
Drury will depart on October 16 with the Australian team as they brace for two Tests with New Zealand Universities in Christchurch and Greymouth.
GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY LOGAN REDBACKS 19 (Jourdyn Hollands, Johnathan Mafoe, Javann Ratu-Daniel, James Fuli tries; Ratu-Daniel goal, Moses Ulai field goal) defeated UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND HOUNDS 18 (Chris Hanson 2, Jahmayne Codwell tries; Kyle Riley 3 goals) in golden point extra time at Davies Park, South Brisbane.
