Sunshine Coast University signified they will be a force to be reckoned with after a stunning debut in the Universities Rugby League Queensland competition this week.
In the first game of a double header on Monday’s public holiday, the Spartans came from behind to defeat the University of Queensland Hounds 32-24.
It was a bold showing by the Sunshine Coast side, that only applied to join the URLQ competition last year.
However due to COVID-19, the 2020 season was cancelled, leaving the Spartans to cool their jets for 12 months.
They brought the enthusiasm spawned out of that wait against the Hounds, with the club’s chief organiser Matt O’Donnell scoring two tries in the first half from the wing.
Ivan Lynch also scored twice for the victors, while the reliable Oscar Pannifex went over for the Hounds.
In the second match, the QUT Trouts outlasted the Griffith Dragons 18-14.
In a tight contest, only the goal kicking of QUT’s Lachlan Quinn was the difference as the teams scored three tries each.
Anthony Ngunz was the star, scoring twice for the Trouts, with Emmanuel Kiddie chiming with a try for the Dragons.
Round 2 will be played on Wednesday, May 5 and will see Australian Catholic University in their first showing of the season, hosting the Trouts at Banyo.
Griffith Dragons will play the Hounds at Nathan in a replay of the 2019 URLQ grand final.
Universities Rugby League Queensland Round 1 results
USC Spartans (Matt O’Donnell 2, Ivan Lynch 2, Jacob Thorn, Declan Griffiths tries; Joseph Lowe 4 goals) defeated UQ Hounds 24 (Samuel Gillespie, Oscar Pannifex, Braydon Lamb, Luke Romagnolo tries; Peter Boniface 4 goals) at Griffith Nathan Fields.
QUT Trouts 18 (Anthony Ngunz 2, Sacherence Sitigata tries; Lachlan Quinn 3 goals) defeated Griffith Dragons 14 (Douglas Ugaia, Larry Kia, Emmanuel Kiddie tries; Charlie Alvira goal) at Griffith Nathan Fields.
Round 2 draw – Wednesday, May 5 at 7.30pm
Griffith Dragons v UQ Hounds at Griffith Nathan Fields
Australian Catholic University v QUT Trouts – ACU Campus, Banyo
