May 24, 2025, Round 8 Brothers vs UQ

Brothers First Grade have returned to the winners circle sporting an iconic replica of the original Butchers Stripes jersey which the club wore in its inaugural season, 1905.The win ensures that the coveted Templeton-McLean Trophy remains in Albion for a fourth year running, meaning Brothers takes a 13-12 lead in all time wins of this famous silverware.

The Grades got in on the action against the Old Enemy, UQ, with wins in all matches except Fifth Grade. Colts 3 and 2 also had spirit-lifting wins, and Colts 1 went down in a gallant effort to a strong UQ team finding their in-season momentum. Meanwhile, Brothers Women lost out to a fast finishing Easts, giving up a 21 point lead fall agonizingly short of glory.

StoreLocal Hospital Cup

Brothers First Grade have had taken a solid 31-20 victory at home on Heritage Day.

In a club as proud as Brothers, the jersey means everything to the players that wear it. And on this day, this sentiment would have an extra-special meaning. With 120 years of history to live up to, the home side took to the field in a replica of the club’s first ever jersey. This proud moment set the emotional stakes to a day that is always a tense affair, with UQ being Brother’s oldest and most respected rivalry.

Keen to make a statement, the match started with a rapid Brothers incursion into the Red Heavies’ red-zone, and it looked inevitable that an early try would be scored. However, despite dominating territory in the first ten minutes, two held-up calls scuppered the home side, and allowed UQ to alleviate the pressure. It didn’t help that Centre David Fusitu’a was carded for an intentional knock-on, taking away at least one attacking option.

It wasn’t until Sebastian Hanna was able to take service off Brad Hemopo that the scoring would be opened in the 17th minute.

The crowd wouldn’t have to wait long for next points however, with some of the previous week’s sloppy handling creeping back into Brother’s attack, gifting UQ a shot to attack which they duly capitalized on through a maul try to Wests-turned Uni hooker Zac Hough.

The remainder of the first half would devolve into a shabby affair, with neither side able to hold the ball long enough in useful territory to do anything with. However, in the shadows of half-time Uni would break the deadlock with repeated defensive infringements resulting in another yellow card, and parking the Heavies firmly within range for multiple raids. The wall finally broke, and Lachlan Pheely broke through under the posts to gift the Students a 12-5 lead heading into the break.

The second half would similarly to the first, with Brothers keen to close the deficit early, and pushing hard into Uni’s half. However on this occasion, they didn’t need to wait long to punch Henry Smith into space off flyhalf Jude Gibbs finding space and pace in the 44th minute. A scant few minutes later, a Uni penalty put the whole forward pack on the offensive, and visitor’s found it repeatedly difficult to exit. This allowed Brothers to execute the now classic Dom Fraser maul try off the bench, earning a lead for the home side that would not be surrendered.

From here it was all Brothers, with territory and possession being taken at will, the Brethren queuing up for involvements. A returning Michael Wood would punish the Students, in the 51st minute, and the ominous form of Fusitu’a would finally capitalise on finding a much smaller defender the only thing between him and the try line in the 62nd.

UQ tried their best to keep in the fight, however a consolation try in the second last minute of play to Lui Afele would not be enough to get the Red Heavies back in the fight.

StoreLocal Challenge Cup

Brother Women have suffered an agonizing loss to Easts in a match that will have the home side ruing several critical defensive lapses in the second half, losing 31-27.

The match started promisingly for the home side, with Brothers hitting an early lead through Reds player Carys Dallinger, and never looking like the weaker team for the majority of the first stanza. Indeed, Imogen Ryan and Tiarna Molloy added to the tally, sending the home side into the sheds 22-5 leaders, a lead they would have been confident in maintaining into the second half.

However, last year’s Premier Women’s finalists Easts were not prepared to take this result lying down, and launched a blitzkrieg raid on Brothers half early in the second half. Three runaway tries to Loretta Lealiifano, Leilani Hills and Piper Flynn clawed back the deficit and gave Easts the lead, forcing a desperate Brothers scramble into useful field position. The home side had hope restored through Vineta Teutau scoring to return the lead, before Easts’ Maggie Glassock took it right back.

A final desperate raid into the Easts half right on full time came to naught with a knock on leaving the home side distraught and wondering what could have been.

Results

StoreLocal Hospital Cup: WIN 31-20

StoreLocal Challenge Cup: LOSS 31-27

2nd Grade: WIN 31-21

3rd Grade: WIN 27-19

4th Grade: WIN 30-12

5th Grade: LOSS 25-10

6th Grade: WIN 60-0

Colts 1: LOSS 27-17

Colts 2: WIN 34-12

Colts 3: WIN 20-19

Colts 4 Navy: LOSS 32-29 (versus Easts)