The Queensland University of Technology Trouts have the chance to snag back the premiership that got away.
But they are going to have to get through minor premier Griffith University Dragons to do it.
The two teams qualified for the Universities Rugby League Queensland grand final with semi-final victories last night, and will meet in Wednesday’s decider at Davies Park.
The Dragons were made to hang on to secure their spot after a brave University of Queensland Hounds came at them late.
The Dragons looked comfortable on their home patch at Nathan, leading 16-4 at halftime after tries to speedy winger Patrick Robinson, Elijah Kiddie and captain Jess Domic.
Big Hounds’ centre Mitchell Chad countered to bring it back to 16-10, but when Robinson bolted 70 metres to secure his double with 12 minutes left the Dragons looked home.
However, UQ half Brenden Baker danced his way over to make it 22-16 and the Dragons were forced to hang on for the final eight minutes.
At Banyo, the Trouts were commanding in an upset of Australian Catholic University.
It was a tight first half, with QUT sneaking out to an 8-4 lead at the break.
But after finishing minor premiers last year and bowing out in the semi-finals, the Trouts were not going to be stopped.
Jayden Trace chimed in with two tries to add to his brother Blake’s two goals, and the Trouts were off to the grand final with a 20-4 victory.
The URLQ grand final will be held at Davies Park in West End on Wednesday, September 14 at 7.30pm, with Dragons’ fullback Mason Clarke fighting the clock to be fit after hurting his ankle last night.
Semi-final results:
QUT TROUTS 20 (Jayden Trace 2, Luke Ford, Owen Johnson tries; Blake Trace 2 goals) defeated ACU 4 (Khaleel Waqar try) at ACU Campus, Banyo
GRIFFITH DRAGONS 22 (Patrick Robinson 2, Emannuelle Kiddie, Jess Domic tries; Domic 3 goals) defeated UQ HOUNDS 16 (Brenden Baker 2, Mitchell Chard tries; Baker 2 goals) at Griffith Campus, Nathan.
URLQ grand final
Griffith Dragons (1) v QUT Trouts (3) at Davies Park on September 14 – 7.30pm
