A try from Braydon Lamb with two minutes remaining has snatched back-to-back Universities Rugby League Queensland premierships for the University of Queensland Hounds.
After the Hounds had led 6-4 at the break, minor premiers the Griffith Dragons looked to have the premiership sewn up when they had an 8-6 advantage with two minutes remaining.
But strong run out of his own half from outside back Patryk Koch set up a break as he put Peter Boniface away.
Lamb backed up and beat the cover to score to put the Hounds in front at Davies Park on Wednesday night.
UQ then defused a short kick-off and they were home in surely one of the best university rugby league matches seen in this country.
The match was a fitting end to what was a sensational three-game series between the two clubs in 2018.
The pair opened the season with the Dragons holding out the Hounds 10-6 in Round 1. The Hounds levelled the leger with an 18-10 victory in Round 6.
The grand final was always going to be a show stopper, Hounds’ coach Scott Barker remarked after his side backed up their 2017 premiership victory.
“We have played the Dragons three times this year and every one of them has been a tight contest,” Barker said.
“During the season they won one game and we won the other.
“We were lucky enough to get up in another close one tonight.
“It was a great effort for our boys to hang in there in a really tough match and come out on top.”
It was only a first-half goal from Hounds’ kicker Mitch Wells that proved the difference, after Jake Kearnan and Allen Rau had scored for the Dragons.
Hounds’ captain and enforcer Dom Heidke was name player of the match after an inspiring display.
URLQ GRAND FINAL 2018
UQ HOUNDS 10 (Patryk Koch, Braydon Lamb tries; Mitch Well goal) defeated GRIFFITH DRAGONS 8 (Jake Kearnan, Allen Rau tries) at Davies Park on Wednesday, September 5
Halftime: UQ Hounds 6 led Griffith Dragons 4
Man of the match: Dom Heidke (UQ Hounds)
Referee: Jay Hardie
