Brothers down UQ in the rain
Brothers backed up last week’s win over GPS with a tight 24-21 win over UQ in Round Six of the Premier Rugby Competition.
In a hard-fought encounter in torrential rain the home-side held out the Heavies as they made a late surge following a late try to prop Kevin Davis.
Skipper Dallan Murphy opened his side’s account early in the first half but back-to-back tries to the Heavies following repeated turnovers led to the home-side trailing 14-5.
Damon Murphy then brought the scores back after fielding a wayward punt to make it 14-12.
Joel Rapana was finally able to give Brothers back the lead following a try, but the scores could have been level at the break if not for a penalty kick by fullback Will Tuffley just falling short of the goal-line, 17-14 at the break to Brothers.
The weather in the second-half was nothing short of dreadful as both sides struggled to gain ascendancy.
Damon Murphy bolted 70 metres to increase the lead to 10 points following the conversion and also securing his side a four-try bonus point.
Despite being under continuous pressure in the second-half the Heavies held out the home-side before getting numerous chances of their own late in the game only to be held up over the line.
Finally the dam broke for the Heavies as Davis crashed over late following a clever kick from Tuffley, 24-21 after Tuffley added the conversion.
Tuffley then had a chance to level the scores and force a draw but his late penalty attempt missed much to the relief of Brothers, 24-21 at full-time to the home side as both teams headed for a well-earned warm shower.
The cold, wet conditions at Crosby Park made for a classic style of rugby.