Gungahlin Bulls finish Reserve Grade premiership undefeated

The Gungahlin Bulls have defeated the Tuggeranong Bushrangers 36-20 in the reserve grade final, having sought redemption from last year’s grand final loss.

A barnstorming run from Cayden Hill in the opening minutes set the tone early for the Bulls.

The Bulls continued this momentum and remained on top early dominating the field possession over the Bushrangers.

A dropped ball from the Bushies winger handed the Bulls first attacking set on the Bushrangers try line.

They took advantage of their early dominance as lock forward Jayden Grocott opened the scoring for the Bulls to lead 6-0.

An instinctive chip and chase play from Bulls fullback Ethan Miller gifted a line break over the front line of the Bushies defensive line, drawing in two defenders and offloading to the winger Earldric Pehara to score.

Another successful conversion from Blake Morschel extended the lead to 12-0.

It was all Bulls in the first half as a torpedo bomb left Bushrangers fullback Curtis Johnston all ends up as Bulls’ Kai Pennay pounced on a bouncing ball and coasted over the line with some snazzy feet.

Morschel successfully converted to take the scores 18-0.

The Bushrangers were able to periodically flip the momentum, scoring a try in the final five minutes of the first half thanks to some neat left hand edge ball movement.

Hill was back at his tackle breaking best, making a linebreak inside his own half before combining with fullback Miller to break away and score the Bulls fourth try of the afternoon.

The Morschel conversion capped off the first half as the Bulls lead 24-4 over the Bushrangers at half-time.

Despite a lacklustre first half performance, the Bushies made a statement retuning from the sheds, hitting back first and scoring in the 48th minute through Samuel Norris.

Bailey Reece converted to reduce the deficit to 24-10.

The Bulls attempted to flip the momentum in the 55th minute through a 40/20, but the Bushies proved they meant business, putting a stop to anything thrown their way.

In the 62nd minute the Bulls appeared to score through Cody Smith, but after some time it was overruled, and the Bushies were handed a lifeline.

Tuggeranong took this opportunity with two hands and marched up the field as they searched for another try.

During this set, Bulls Todd Sherd was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul, but Gungahlin still managed to hold out the Bushies attack.

Following this set, the Bulls replied and gained some valuable field position through some strong runs, which Zachary Dickason scoring in the 66th minute.

Morschel  comfortably converted to boost the Bulls lead to 30-10.

Tuggeranong weren’t going down without a fight, with a well timed cutout pass finding Luke Heyman to score in the 73rd minute.

Reece successfully converted to leave the scoreboard reading 30-16.

Gungahlin put the nail in the coffin in the 77th minute, with Jarrod Hitchins burrowing over down the left edge off a steaming run.

Morschel converted once more to make it 36-16.

The Bushrangers scored a consolation try in the final minute of the match to leave them defeated by the Bulls 36-20.