The UQ Hounds have been crowned 2009 Universities Rugby League Queensland (URLQ) champions courtesy of their dominant 34 -18 victory over the Griffith Dragons at Langlands Oval on Saturday.
UQ overcame an early Dragons try to run away with a comprehensive six-tries-to-three victory, allowing the University of Queensland to collect their ninth premiership in the competitions brief twenty year history.
Redemption was the key word for the Hounds going into this season’s decider, after the Dragons ruined UQ’s aspirations of an undefeated season in the dying seconds of last year’s grand final.
The Hounds victory also prevented the Dragons from completing a historic fifth consecutive premiership, with Dragons captain Alan Kemp praising the commitment of his team in what has been an era of dominance from the Griffith side.
The Dragons burst out of the blocks thanks to an early try to winger Kellin Polanski in just the 4th minute, with the Hounds levelling the scores just four minutes later through a smart try to five-eighth Drew Tobin.
Thanks to a livewire display from URLQ Player of the Year and Man of the match Rueben Butler, the Hounds were able to skip out to a 14-4 lead on the half hour thanks to tries to centre Liam Busuttin and Butler himself.
Butler was in the thick of things again just before the break, with the nippy hooker bursting clear from inside his own half, before linking up with centre Trevor McLeary for a converted try and a dominant 20-4 half-time advantage.
The Dragons were able to claw their way back into the match thanks to two quickfire tries to Craig Kurkowski and the exciting Tala Ah Sam straight after the break, with Ah Sam dazzling the Langlands Park faithful with an impressive display of strength and speed on his way to posting a spectacular 50 metre four-pointer.
But it was that man Butler again who staved off any hopes of a Dragons comeback when he scored his second try of the afternoon inside the closing stages, with Tobin adding icing to the cake with a dazzling 60 metre solo effort to complete the 32-18 victory.
University of Queensland 32 (Reuben Butler 2, Drew Tobin 2, Trevor McLeary, Liam Busuttin tries; Trevor McLeary 4 goals)
Defeated
Griffith University 18 (Kellin Polanski, Craig Kurkowski, Pala Ah Sam tries; Luke Schoem 3 goals)
At Langlands Park, Brisbane
