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Griffith crowned URLQ Premiers |
A decision to fly back to
Brisbane
for the Queensland Universities grand final has paid dividends for Griffith Uni hooker Pat Webster, rewarded with a premiership as the Dragons triumphed 42-24 over QUT in the decider.
The commitment of Webster, who is in the middle of post-graduate work in
Cairns
, reflected the on-field resolve of the Dragons, coming from behind three times.
Webster opened the scoring for
Griffith
in the 13th minute following a Shane Beldham break and was a focal point of the attack throughout.
Appreciative of the dummy-half's dedication, coach Paul Srama and teammates put the hat around after the match, raising more than $200 to contribute towards Webster's flight costs.
The jet-setting rake had already dipped into his student savings a fortnight earlier, flying in for the major semi final.
His teammates gesture was a fitting end to a season played in good spirit between all competing Universities, one where the top three teams finished within a point of each other on the ladder.
That closeness had been reflected by earlier scores of 32-all and 32-30 (to
Griffith
) in matches between the Dragons and the Trouts.
In the decider it again looked like being headed for a nail-biter as the sides took turns in scoring. Although well beaten in the wash-up, QUT led 6-0, then 10-6 and later 12-10.
Just before halftime the wily Webster ducked in around behind the defence and sent fullback Pierce Jones over for the first of his two tries. That made it 16-12 at the break to
Griffith
and from there the Dragons were never headed.
Captain Beldham was adjudged best on ground for his well-timed angling runs and clever offloads, creating numerous breaks. Former Easts Tigers centre Rob Maller regularly linked with the skipper and he too was a constant danger.
For QUT, ex Souths Logan speedster Scott McLennan gave a strong showing, while Universities Player of the Year Liam Wright furthered his reputation. A barging try to the big prop gave the Trouts some hope at 32-24 a quarter-hour from fulltime, but
Griffith
finished the match with two more tries to put the result beyond doubt.
Griffith
replacement Brad St Clair allowed the ball to go dead from the kick-off, gathered it 3m outside the field of play and then ran back full steam at the defence, seemingly unaware he had crossed the line.
GRIFFITH DRAGONS 42 (Pierce Jones 2, Pat Webster, Tim O'Brien, Adam Latimore, Lee Merritt, Colin Wee, Rob Maller tries; Adam Lenard 5 goals)
defeated
QUT TROUTS 24 (Scott McLennan, Matt McLennan, Paul Harvey, Liam Wright tries; Matt Gorozo 4 goals)
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