The Griffith Dragons have extended their lead at the top of the 2009 URLQ Table courtesy of a scrappy 16-6 victory over the USQ Ironbarks at a chilly Griffith University’s Nathan campus last night.

The cold conditions obviously affected both sides handling, with the Dragons three tries to one victory keeping this season’s undefeated record intact.

Dragon’s fullback Luke Schoem again starred for the home side, with the spritely custodian scoring a try and two goals while impressing with both his long and short kicking game. Griffith forward Tim Ah Sam also produced an outstanding defensive display to keep the Ironbarks repelled, with skipper Alan Kemp producing yet another strong performance just five days after representing the Queensland Tertiary team.

In Wednesday’s other match, the QUT Trouts continued their impressive form reversal with a commanding 60-4 victory over the UQ Gatton Bulls.

The twelve- tries-to-one rout makes it two wins in a row for the rejuvenated Trouts, and sets up an exciting clash against the top of the table Dragons next week. 

It was a completely different Gatton team to the one that beat the Trouts at Gatton four weeks ago, but to their credit, they never gave up, and were rewarded with a consolatory try late in the second half to the waterboy.

The Trouts were dominant all over the paddock and scored a host of spectacular tries. Once again, it was the forwards that setup the victory for the Trouts, with QUT’s jarring defence allowing plenty of room for their speedy outside backs to run riot.

QUT’s Michael Falvey produced yet another strong performance, with his offloading ability and defensive workload causing numerous headaches for the plucky Bulls.

In a great all-round team performance, prolific point-scorer Richard Kirkbright again finished with a try scoring double, with five-eight Adam Wade collecting a personal tally of 14 points with two tries and four goals.