UQ Rugby Club claims ultimate prize

The University of Queensland Rugby Football Club has confirmed its dominance of Queensland Premier Rugby with a grand final victory at Ballymore last Sunday.

UQ overcame grand final debutants the Sunshine Coast Stingrays 19-11 to win their first Premiership Trophy in 20 years.

An early try and penalty goal to fullback Will Tuffley saw UQ off to an 8-0 lead, before the Stingrays hit back with a penalty goal of their own.

A try to winger David Burns before half time gave UQ a 13-3 lead at the break.

Some accurate second half penalty kicking by Will Tuffley was enough to keep the game out of reach for the Sunshine Coast.

The Red Heavies defence was strong throughout, keeping their opponents to just one penalty goal until a try to Tom Cox in the dying seconds provided some consolation for the Stingrays.

Premier Grade captain and UQ Sport Scholarship Ambassador James Hanson said the victory was especially sweet for the veterans of the club.

“It was a great achievement and a pretty special moment,” Mr Hanson said.

“A group of us have been at the club for quite a while without success which has been pretty frustrating.

“For a few years we had a lot of players coming and going but over the last two seasons we’ve pretty much kept the same group of guys together which I think really paid dividends.

“Hopefully we can do it again next year for the club’s 100 years.”

UQ Coach Mick Heenan said the early lead was important given the wet conditions.

"Rain's always a leveller, I suppose, but I knew that our scrum was pretty solid so the more mistakes, the more scrums really and I knew that was going to be an advantage for us,” he said.

In UQ’s other grand final appearance, fourth grade were defeated 19-8 by GPS.

A remarkable seven UQ teams made it to the finals in what was an extremely successful season for the UQ Rugby Club.

UQ Sport would like to congratulate the club on their impressive season and fantastic premier grade grand final victory.

For more information about the UQ Rugby Club, visit www.uqrugby.com.

Media: Simon Byrne (simonb@uqs.com.au, 0428 168 727)