The 2008 URLQ season kicked off in spectacular fashion on Wednesday night, with both the UQ Hounds and USQ Ironbarks posting first up victories.

The Hounds were particularly impressive in chalking up a dominant 26-4 victory, with University of Queensland student Callum Page leading the way with two tries.

Hounds coach Michael Ellis would be extremely pleased with his team’s defensive structure, as the committed Hounds were able to hold the defending champions to one solitary four-pointer.

The USQ Ironbarks also displayed an exciting array of attacking skills in their 28-16 victory over the University of Queensland Gatton Bulls.

In an exciting encounter, the Ironbarks goal-kicker Scott Larsen proved to be the difference between the two evenly matched teams, kicking four goals despite the chilly conditions.

QUT also join the Hounds and Ironbarks atop the URLQ ladder, with the Trouts gaining two competition points courtesy of the first round bye.

UQ Hounds 26 (Callum Page 2, Clinton Reid, Marcus Roche, Trevor Mc Leary, Ryan MacMillan tries; Tom Lawler goal)

defeated

Griffith Dragons 4 (Lee Merritt try)

USQ Ironbarks 28 (Rob Peters 2, Tom Peel, Matt Schulze, Lyndon McGrath tries; Scott Larsen 4 goals)

defeated

UQ Gatton Bulls 16 (Brendan Geraghty 2, Gus Boileau, Nick Murphy tries)