Hospital Cup
Brothers all-time record streak defending the Bunter Bowl has come to an end almost 12 months to the day after winning the trophy from Wests, losing to the Bulldogs 39-12 at home in Round 16. The result, only Brothers second loss of the season, has moved Wests into second spot on the ladder, heating up the competition for the finishing order of the Top 4 between them, Souths and UQ.
It is a common phenomena in any club season for a squad’s strength to swing wildly based on representative selections, injury and fatigue, with Brothers susceptible to all three at the weekend. All in all, 22 of Brothers top-squad players were out of contention. Regardless, Brothers 2024 campaign has been renowned for the depth the club was able to produce, and Wests were taking absolutely no chances, bringing by far their strongest line-up of the season to Crosby Park, with nine Super Rugby players from the Drua and Rebels taking to the paddock.
Brothers were on the back foot right from the get-go, with Wests showing plenty of fight and intensity in early forwards play. Not even the considerable firepower of Taniela Tupou was enough to blunt the Wests forwards, with Brothers holding the Wests scrum, but making little in-roads to their usual dominance.
It wasn’t long before the backs got involved, with Lebron Paramore-Naea striking of a sharp build up of phases from Wests in the Brothers half. Brothers settled down after this, however never looked on the front foot, holding on in the midfield, before conceding several turn-overs through sloppy play, and have Nick Cross being sent off for giving referee James Palmer a pointless spray. This gifted Ethan Dobbins enough space to sting the home side after 26 minutes.
At this juncture Brothers were able to finally find some purchase in the attacking 22m, and looked to have landed a blow before referee Palmer ruled the ball held up, Brothers then hassling the Wests defenders again before Wests Centre David Vaihu committed a sickeningly high tackle on Brothers 10 Jake Sargood, knocking him unconscious and ending the games of both players on the spot. Regardless, Brothers still couldn’t fin a way to the line, with Daniel Maiva streaking away for an intercept try and Dobbins further adding misery on the home side. The 24-0 scoreline told the story.
Unlike in previous matches there would be no second half fightback from Brothers, with Wests piling on two more tries before Brothers finally crossed the chalk courtesy of Kamilo Guido. An unfortunate head knock to Wests’ Jone Tiko saw him stretchered off, before Wests twisted the knife through Charlie Wigaan and then Henry Speight breaking a disheartened Brothers defense one minute apart.
Mosiah Christian salvaged some pride for the Butchers Stripe’s scoring on full time to make the final score.
Premier Women
Brother Premier Women suffered a similar selections dilemma to their male counterparts, struggling against a much stronger Wests side and going down 67-0. The Wests Women have been one of the form sides in recent rounds, and the weekend’s strong result lifts them into third place and ensures they only need one point from their remaining two rounds to qualify for the finals.
Brothers, with only three on the bench, saw some massive shifts from some of its more inexperienced players, with the more experienced women forced to play out of position. Lock Dayna Cockbain was voted player’s player after playing full minutes, with Kirra Burke being voted MVP for her typically punchy work at the breakdown, giving the team some limited minutes in possession.
Other Results
Brothers Grades have had an excellent weekend, with Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade and Fifth Grade taking strong victories. These results mean that Third and Fourth grades have now officially sealed the Minor Premiership, and Second Grade needs a single point to secure theirs. Fifth Grade are now locked into the finals and can finish no lower than 4th.
- In Colts, Colts 1’s title defense is now officially over, with Colts 2 keeping their season alive in the tight five-way battle for the last two finals positions. Wins against Norths and GPS will see the Butcher’s Stripes go through. Colts 3 are now certainties to play finals Rugby and sit in 2nd place, with a Top 2 spot able to be sealed in the next round should they win.
- 2nd Grade: Won 29-7
- 3rd Grade: Won 22-10
- 4th Grade: Won 60-0
- 5th Grade: Won 26-0
- Colts 1: Lost 47-22
- Colts 2: Won 33-19
- Colts 3: Won 29-7
