S.U.F.C. 2016

[Dave Beat]

China's 1st Grade Report

By Bruce "China" Lin
University got back to their winning groove with a come from behind 43-29 victory over the Manly Marlins last Saturday at Manly Oval.
For so many years a graveyard for visiting University teams, the Students with some added Waratahs dominated Manly’s pack which ultimately provided the cutting edge.
But the game started in favour of Manly when they came out with all guns blazing. Attacking inside the University quarter the ball was swung wide towards the seaside for their winger to scorch down the sideline to score in the corner. However University gained parity with fullback Roberts kicking two quick penalties for a slender lead of 6-5 midway through the half.
You could sense that Manly were using their quick outside backs to outplay the disciplined University . That came when a University ball was fumbled along the western flank. The Manly winger B.J. Hartmann - B.J. an acronym for ‘By Jingo’ swooped on the ball and raced down field without a hand touching him to score a converted try.

Stung by this, University grafted their way downfield. Pressing inside the Marlins five metre area University were fiercely recycling the ball. A short ball was received by retuning Waratah prop big Paddy Ryan who crashed over near the uprights. The conversion saw University with a slender lead of 13-12.
There must have been a game plan to catch University napping at any opportunity as the next Manly try had all the hallmarks of being just a bit audacious. The ball trickled over the western sideline for a Manly lineout. Before you could say- Lee Lin Chin and set a lineout, a quick throw was executed by Manly allowing a trailing player to race downfield for the easiest of tries. The tries were now flowing freely after University fullback Angus Roberts scored in the eastern corner following quick backline passing. At 19-18 Manly were just hanging on at the half time break.
The commencement of the second half was a mirror image of the first as Manly tried to assume the ascendancy. A chip by their five eighth Lane saw a supporting forward regather and literally crash into the upright to score a converted try. A penalty soon after propelled Manly’s lead to 29-18. A hard task to peg back at Manly Oval? Not in the eyes of the Students as a period of disciplined play took place.
University managed to set a scrum five metres from the Manly line. University’s eight packed with iron, protein and Will Skelton commenced to backpedal the Marlins scrum. The monstrous shove was trying to put the Marlins into the Manly Aquarium at West Esplanade. University halfback Jake Gordon took full advantage to run from the scrum base and score an easy try. Roberts playing with great control now made the extra man in the backline and regathered a chip to once again score. University had regained the lead with a score line of 30-29.
The introduction of some fresh reserves gave added venom to University’s attack. Backrower Brad Wilkin on club debut showed why he is a Waratah squad member with some excellent ball turnovers and backing up when he was introduced.
But the potency of the University scrum could not be withheld from public viewing for too much longer with the final try. Some ferocious play by the Students saw them pack a five metre scrum. The University scrum slowly commenced to trample over a tiring Marlins pack for Jake Gordon to score his double. University had effectively caught, filleted and battered the Marlins pack!
A few extra penalties gave the Students a further lead of 43-29 to see out the game. A particularly satisfying victory silencing University Captain Tom Carter’s ‘friends’ perched on the grassy knoll who transitioned from cacophonous to mute in record time!

After last week’s narrow loss the smiles were all round the University huddle after the game. Jake Gordon attributed the win to “Tuesday & Thursday’s hard work paid off.” Coach Tim Davidson had a belief, “We worked hard and just believed in ourselves and didn’t shirk it.”
Next week University are back at home on the annual Services/White Ribbon Day versus West Harbour where there will be some NSW Constabulary mingling at the ground.

Was going to say nice fair write up - but then salt gets rubbed into the wounds with reference to the Sir Roden Cutler.
I hear the colts was also alot closer than the score board and people expected.

 

[boyo]

Sir Roden Cutler often attended Uni's home matches.

 

[boyo]

SUFC vs West Harbour Review

By Dac Croker19th April, 2016
West Harbour defeated Sydney University 43-34 at the Football Ground on Saturday despite the home team’s dominant pack and scoring five tries to the visitors’ four.
Pirates five-eighth Tayler Adams collected 23 points, converting all four tries, kicking four penalties, and knocking over a field goal to boot.
It’s clear from the tactics Randwick, Manly and West Harbour have taken into recent matches, and a testament to decades of success, that Sydney Uni remain the Shute Shield benchmark. This despite not appearing in the past two deciders.
All have taken an up-tempo, helter-skelter approach with an aim of creating half chances and maximising scoring opportunities. On Saturday, West Harbour introduced another element, incessant niggle, including rucking the man or “stomping”, which was banned some time ago. Whether through Uni ill-discipline or strange officiating, it worked.
These tactics counter to an extent the dominant Uni set piece. Certainly there was much West Harbour high-fiving, backslapping and trash talking that followed rare and contentious scrum penalties. And Uni’s lineout functioned effectively with six men.
West Harbour scored after five minutes thanks to Uni inattention at the breakdown. It was the first of two tries for abrasive backrower Tom Patterson. Adams’ conversion made it 7-0.

Uni retaliated five minutes later through halfback Jake Gordon after sustained pressure on the Wests line and the option of scrums over three points. At this stage it looked like Wests would be in for a long afternoon. Angus Roberts converted for 7-7.
Adams kicked a penalty at the 15-minute mark for Wests to take a 10-7 lead. Referee Anthony Moyes’ adjudicating kept Wests in Uni territory for long periods of the match.
Uni’s second try gave a glimpse of the possibilities that await. Midway through the half, from a scrum 10m in their own territory, inside centre Thomas Carter breached the defence with nous (he ran at the half gap) and determination (he ran hard). Quick ball from the breakdown was transferred from Gordon to five-eighth Ben Hughes, fullback Roberts and finally winger Saia Tanginoa who scooted over unopposed for 40m to score in the corner. Uni 12-10.
If the alignment, timing and crispness of passing on the second phase had been repeated more often in this game, and in recent weeks, it’s hard to think Uni wouldn’t be on top of the comp. But too often we’ve seen passes dropped or passes not made. Rarely have so many Uni backs ended up in or near touch.
It was reminiscent of former first grade coach Rupert Rosenblum’s remonstrations to a winger playing on No.1 in the early 1980s. “If you keep running across field like that you’ll be hit by a bus on Parramatta Road.”
Uni squandered chances, not the least outside centre Jim Stewart after 26 minutes.
Wests hung on, and their niggle received its desired result when Uni hooker Folau Fainga’a was binned after half an hour and lock Jeremy Tilse after 35 minutes.
It allowed Wests to score in the championship period just before and just after halftime, interspersed by a Roberts penalty. The Pirates took a 17-15 lead into the break and went out to 23-15 frontrunners early in the second half through another two Adams penalty goals.
The five-eighth then cleverly kicked for fullback Liam Windon to gather an in-pass to winger Justin Marsters. A sideline conversion made it 30-15. Time enough if good enough for Uni, but it wasn’t to be. Adams continued to turn pressure into points thanks to territorial domination brought about by Uni’s lack of attention to detail.

Gordon scored his second try with Uni playing “catch-up football”. He took a quick tap and eventually picked up a grubber at the other end of the field. It was still game on at 36-22 and Uni sensed it with a classic try with about seven minutes to go. A sweeping backline movement put winger Matthew Narracott in space and his blistering speed ensured the rest. Roberts’s sideline conversion made it 35-29.
But Wests weren’t to be denied. They started to create midfield space and in turn field position. Eventually inside centre David Minute “picked and dove” as opposed to “picked and drove”. Adams was never going to miss the conversion and it was 43-29.
Uni rounded out the scoring with a Carter try, again from good backs skills and a solid finish.
The Students’ great set piece is being wasted at the moment, compounded by turnovers. The pack is premiership quaIity, the backs a work in progress. Maybe it’s just attention to detail and countering the frenetic starts other teams are throwing up.
Despite an otherwise exemplary season to date, halfback Jake Gordon could improve the chances of his outside men with clearances from the ground, rather than after a couple of crabwise steps. Kick pressure and kick reception needs attention as well. There’s no point in outside backs chasing a kick, especially from a planned move, if they do nothing on arrival.

Maybe it’s the No 1 Oval effect. Nothing compared with the Grandstand corner atmosphere in the last five minutes of a game, whether in attack or defence. How often did it lift Uni? No doubt the Football Ground will become a showpiece of Harbour City rugby, but at the moment Uni is missing a home-ground fortress aura.
The ability is there, as is the forward muscle and skill. And as with the Randwick match, this was a game there for the taking. The spent arrow, the spoken word, the lost opportunity … they never come back.
Scoreboard

Sydney Men’s premier competition – Round 6
First Grade: West Harbour 43 (Tom Patterson 2, David Minute, Justin Marsters tries; Tayler Adams 4 cons, 4 pens, field goal) defeated Sydney University 34 (Jake Gordon 2, Saia Tanginoa, Thomas Carter, Matthew Narracott tries; Angus Roberts 3 cons, pen goal) at Sydney University Football Ground.

 

[boyo]

China's 1st Grade Report

By Bruce "China" Lin
Despite scoring 5 tries to 4 handling mistakes proved costly for University over a determined West Harbour Pirates last Saturday at the SUFG. The Pirates scoreline of 43-34 was characterised by judicious kicking and racking up fast points. These tactics caused University to play catch up football for the majority of the game.
Wests first converted try came after only 4 minutes. But University halfback Jake Gordon quickly countered with a diagonal run scoring after a 5 metre scrum. The Pirates five eighth with a name straight out of the Bold and the Beautiful - Tayler Adams, kept his teams points ticking away with kicks at goal . University winger Tanginoa scored a try after a backline rush but then came a period of anguish as two University tight forwards were sin binned for the remaining 10 minutes of the first half. University had to really dig deep and avoid an avalanche of points. It was just fortunate that Wests scored one converted try during this juncture. When the halftime bell sounded University were behind 20-15.

West Harbour maintained their momentum for the second half with a quick penalty and then a regathered cross field kick resulted in another converted try. At 30 -15 Wests effectively applied a blow torch to the Students who were trying to extinguish it. A series of dropped balls compounded University’s inability to build any momentum.
But when University regathered their full complement of players from the sin bin a mini resurgence was mounted. Jake Gordon scored his double by outsprinting the defence while winger Matt Narracott showed pure speed after receiving the final pass along the backline to outrun the Wests defence.
The gap had narrowed to 33-29 with still plenty of time left. But just when University supporters felt optimistic Wests hit back when a forward dived over a messy ruck pressed on the University tryline.
Tom Carter’s bumping run to score 90 seconds before the full time bell was in vain as Adams once again kicked a penalty for a 43-34 victory.

A frustrating defeat at home especially after last weekends solid victory over Manly. But a loss such as this will give the Students the necessary wake up call.
Next week University travel to the northern beaches to do battle with those tenacious green rats of Warringah.

 

[boyo]

Round 6: Warringah vs. SUFC

Game times/locations

Saturday 23rd April
Grade
Pittwater Rugby Park1st Grade 3:00pm
2nd Grade 1:25pm
3rd Grade 12.00pm
4th Grade 10:45am
Colts
St Paul's College Oval1st Colts 3:00pm
2nd Colts 1:35pm
3rd Colts 12:20pm
Update on the Club Championships

 

[boyo]

SUFC vs Warringah Review

By Graham Croker26th April, 2016
Having accounted for Manly on their home ground two weeks ago, Sydney University ventured further into the peninsula on Saturday to account for Warringah 22-19 in a torrid encounter at Pittwater Rugby Park.
The Students trailed 12-7 after an evenly-fought first half and were down 19-7 three minutes after the break before surging in the closing half hour to post two more tries and take the points on the back of a Chris Kagiassis penalty goal with five minutes on the clock.
The first half was a torrid battle with University running with a strong wind at their backs. And they used it to hold sway for the first 20 minutes, while Warringah had territorial advantage for the latter stages of the half.
The scrums were a craftman’s delight. Halfbacks could have rested a cup of tea on both packs for most of the engagements, with honours shared.
In the open, both packs went at it with intent, no quarter given, none asked for and backline defences generally held firm.
Sustained pressure from the Students finally resulted in points in the 20th minute when solid defence forced Warringah back over their own line. A penalty to the students from the resulting scrum saw halfback Jake Gordon take a quick tap and dart over. The youngster has improved with each game behind a solid pack and his passing was crisp throughout.

Fullback Kagiassis, up from the Colts, added the extras for a 7-nil lead which was shortlived when the hosts hit back from the restart. A penalty took play into the University quarter and blindside flanker Pierce Howell scored on the back of a well-executed drive off the lineout. Five-eighth Hamish Angus landed the conversion from the sideline to level the scores.
The Students let a try go begging soon after the restart when a counter-attack saw Kagiassis in space with a two-man overlap, only for his pass to go astray. Put it down to wet conditions.
The hosts extended the lead to 12-7 in the shadows of half-time on the back of a well-executed, 40m rolling maul that took play to the University line. From the resulting five-metre scrum, the University push forced Warringah halfback Josh Holmes to attack down the blindside and it resulted in points with winger Jamie Forbes scoring in the corner.
The hosts extended their lead to 19-7 soon after the resumption when winger Max Jones intercepted a pass from Gordon to winger James Kane to run 40m and score in the corner. Angus again converted from the sideline.
From the on it was all about the University resurgence. They controlled possession and field position to eventually wrest control of proceedings, with some strong surges from centres Tom Carter and Jim Stewart keeping Warringah on the backfoot.
It was a Stewart surge that led to Kane scoring in the corner off a Carter pass. Kagiassis landed the conversion into the wind.
First Grade: Sydney University 22 defeated Warringah 19 at Pittwater Rugby Park on Saturday

 

[boyo]

China's 1st Grade Report

By Bruce "China" Lin
The theory that viridis rattus thrive in wet conditions certainly had substance last Saturday. The inclement weather at Rat Park Warriewood showed how dangerous they were . But University showed character coming from behind with a 22-19 victory over a gallant Warringah.
Throughout the game the rain was lashing the field. It was a miracle that both teams could maintain any degree of ball control while Rain drops keep falling on my head.
But after 20 minutes first points were raised for the Students. Some sustained pressure inside the 5 metre area saw half back and forthcoming ladies day icon Jake Channing Gordon scurry over beside the posts for a try converted by debutant fullback Christian Nick Kagiassis.
But those resilient northern beaches rodents hit back almost immediately from the restart. A 5 metre rolling maul was too strong for University to quell and a try was scored in the south eastern corner. Warringah’s five eighth that wee lad Hamish Angus of the clan Angus, kicked a wide conversion and parity had been restored.
Both teams were attempting to gain field position with kicks as the conditions were just too hard to orchestrate any reasonable free flowing play.
Warringah had the better of the latter half and their hard work paid off with their second try. Always dangerous in the 5 metre area, Warringah had a scrum feed with a downpour of Purple Rain . Their experienced halfback Josh Holmes made a diagonal run and their winger crashed over in the south east corner for a scoreline of 12-7 going into half time.
A dour first half for both combatants. With University running against the wind in the second half a real test was facing the Students.
That tenacity was put to the test in the first 2 minutes of the second half when Jake Gordon’s blindside rush was intercepted by the Warringah winger for a converted try. University could really feel I Can’t Stand the Rain at this juncture.

The Students had their backs to the wall and a significant breeze in their faces. All the right ingredients were held by Warringah to punish the Students. University were rushing their plays and continually kicking with little results. A long range penalty kick beyond halfway from Angus hit the cross bar and bobbled in the 5 metre area. Breakaway Jack McCalman was desperately trying to regather but knocked on. It was just fortunate that the pressure scrum did not see Warringah scoring and sending the Students on a miserable trip back across the harbour bridge.
But some sanity prevailed when University decided that the fastest way to the tryline was straight. Captain Tom Carter not wearing his W H & S high visibility boots today straightened the attack down the eastern side. The University rush was being passed along the backline. When it reached the other winger on debut James Kane the big lad clapped on the pace to score an excellent try under the posts converted by Christian Nikos Kagiassis to narrow the gap to 19-14.
University could sense Warringah dropping their guard and the last 8 minutes highlighted the discipline of University. The ball was being passed through the hands and drawing the man. Continuity was being maintained through rucks and mauls. Again Tom Carter loaded an attacking raid down the grandstand side. Carter’s dart down the short side was rewarded with being clobbered late by a Warringah breakaway who was later yellow carded. But Carters foresight saw the ball passed to supporting centre Jim Stewart. Stewart in a classic movement combined pace, swerve and step to crash over in the south west corner where he was Singin in the Rain to even scores 19 apiece. The try was unconverted so the remaining 3 minutes was going down to the wire.

From the kickoff University were retaining possession and were able to attack inside the Warringah half. A scrum was set 5 metres out with University enjoying a numerical advantage courtesy of the earlier sin bin. A couple of collapsed scrums and University were awarded a penalty just to the side of the posts – Manna from Heaven for victory! A crucial kick for 4 competition points and head back to the city. The ball was placed 15 metres out to the left. The clock was winding down as Christian Nicky Kagiassis aligned the ball and cleanly booted the ball through the posts for University to lead 22-19. A short kickoff was to no avail and University wound down the clock for a hard fought 22-19 victory.
University players couldn’t hide their elation after the siren. Tom Carter was beaming, “There’s a special culture amongst us to win here while we were under the pump’ said Carter. Mild mannered Jim Stewart was almost rapid fire after the game. “Awesome feeling. They had us going backwards but we got there at the end” said Stewart.
Next Saturday University are back at the Birthplace versus Eastern Suburbs on a super Saturday featuring all club teams and our legendary Ladies Day!

 

[boyo]

Round 7: SUFC vs Eastern Suburbs (Super Saturday)

Game times/locations

Saturday 30th April
Sydney University Football Ground1st Grade 3:00pm
1st Colts 1:25pm
2nd Grade 11.50am
3rd Grade 10.25am
St John's College Oval
2nd Colts 11.50am
3rd Colts 10:35am
4th Grade 9.10am
Update on Club Championships

 

[boyo]

SUFC vs Eastern Surburbs Highlights

First Grade: Sydney University 33 (Christian Kagiassis 4 tries; Christian Kagiassis 2 goals, 2 pen goals; Angus Roberts pen goal) defeated Eastern Suburbs 10 (Archie King try, goal, pen goal) at Sydney University Football Ground.

CLICK HERE FOR 1st GRADE HIGHLIGHTS​

First Colts: Sydney University 47 (Richard Champion de Crespigny, Hugh Summerhayes, Leo Strang, Samuel Renton, William McDonnell, Eddy King, Callum Styles tries; James Kane 6 goals) defeated Eastern Suburbs 12 (James King, Daniel England tries; Daniel England goal) at St John's College Oval.

CLICK HERE FOR 1st COLTS HIGHLIGHTS​

 

[boyo]

China's 1st Grade Report

By Bruce "China" Lin
Last Saturday at the University Football Ground was not just another home game and 33-10 victory over Eastern Suburbs. The day celebrated kalo pascha better known as Greek Easter. A superb individual performance by the winger with a beard more impressive than Eurovision winner Conchita- Christian Kagiassis gave this significant event in the Greek calendar some added pleasure. Kagiassis scored all of Uni’s tries and kicked some goals also.
University’s young forward pack were particularly impressive in the open. Rookie hooker Folau Fainga'a showed his great ball skills with the first try. Attacking down the blindside close to the Easts line Fainga'a motored towards the corner with a step and swerve. A delicate offload was given to Kagiassis who scooted over in the corner. Easts quickly replied with five eighth Archie King scoring in the opposite corner for a converted try. A further penalty to Easts had them 10-5 ahead mid way through the half. Unfortunately the Easts score failed to increase for the remainder of the game. That narration line heard in the classic 1960’s satirical cartoon remembered by parents of our players Fractured Fairy Tales “And so endeth the story….” came to fruition.

But the young guns of Fainga'a and Kagiassis came to play again. Fainga'a showed confidence beyond his years when attacking down the blindside again a deft left handed flick was offered to Kagiassis who burst through and scored in virtually the same spot. Scores were even and a further University penalty before half time had the Students just ahead 13-10 at the break.
University’s second half campaign commenced with an early penalty. It was then decided by the University brains trust to raise the tempo by throwing the ball about and bustling Easts.
Now running towards the old No:1 oval the ball was being spread wide. Kagiassis scored his third try through merely backing up and kicked the conversion for a 23-10 lead. University were wearing down Easts as turnovers were emerging from some big hits. University youngster big Lachie Swinton was particularly effective in this department. A strategic introduction of centre Jim Stewart and second rower Loma was effective as their presence was felt with some barging runs. But University’s final try and bonus point was reserved once again to Kagiassis.

Receiving the ball along the backline Kagiassis clapped on the pace but was faced with an Easts defensive wall. Kagiassis then cleverly chipped over the top and with his superior speed regathered a bobbing ball and outsprinted some clutching defenders bidding them Yiassou to score a spectacular individual self converted try.
Following full time in scenes reminiscent of Sylvester Stallone at the end of Rocky trying to find his wife Adrienne after an epic battle, Kasgiassis ran towards the throng of ladies under the Buildcorp marquee to greet his partner Effie. “Happy to just play my part for the team” said the brimming winger.
Next Saturday University are once again at home versus the Northern Suburbs shoremen.

 

[boyo]

Round 7: SUFC vs Northern Suburbs

Game times/locations

Saturday 7th May
Sydney University Football Ground1st Grade 3:00pm
2nd Grade 1.25pm 3rd Grade 12.00pm 4th Grade 10.45am
St John's College Oval
1st Colts 3.00pm 2nd Colts 1.35pm
3rd Colts 12.20pm
Update on Club Championships

 

[boyo]

Defence pays dividends for Students

By Graham Croker
Sydney University’s 27-23 win over Southern Districts at Forshaw Rugby Park on Saturday was built on a solid defensive effort that restricted the hosts to just two tries.
The Students crossed for four tries despite conceding a mountain of possession and position to the hosts who, as with Norths the previous week, found it hard to breach the Students’ line.
The win kept Sydney University at the top of the Shute Shield ladder with Randwick on 36 points, with Manly (31), Eastwood (31), Southern Districts (31) and Eastern Suburbs (31) making up the top six.
And in a tight Round 9 weekend where Southern Districts won three of the seven contests, the Students held their position at the top of the Club Championship on 1483 points, ahead of Randwick (1452) and Eastern Suburbs (1314).
Southern Districts winger Matt Teki and Sydney University fullback Angus Roberts traded early penalty goals on Saturday before the hosts skipped away to a 10-3 lead in the 24th minute when winger Luke Smart collected a loose pass to score after s sustained period in the University quarter.

The hosts increased their lead to 17-3 in the 30th minute when inside-centre Rohan Saifoloi busted two tackles to send Teki on an uninterrupted run to the line. Teki converted both tries and added a penalty goal soon after for a 20-3 lead.
But the Students hit back on the stroke of halftime when five-eighth Ben Hughes and Roberts combined to send winger Christian Yassmin over in the corner for a 20-8 scoreline at the break.
The try came on the back of a dominant University scrum and another clean lineout possession, two areas the Students dominated throughout despite being behind on the scoreboard and the possession stakes.
The Students continued to claw back the deficit straight after the break when inside-centre Tom Carter made a break down the blindside of a ruck 60m out and turned the ball inside to ever-present halfback Jake Gordon, who found Hughes on hand to score. Roberts goaled for a 20-15 scoreline.
Openside flanker Jack McCalman levelled proceedings at 20-all in the 50th minute when he retrieved the ball from a ruck 20m out and scooted away to score without a defender in sight. Roberts’ conversion edged the Students in front for the first time in the match.

But it only lasted several minutes when the Students lost possession from the restart and Souths gained territory and a penalty for Teki to land another penalty goal. Restarts have been a perennial problem for the Students for the past dozen years and they presented possession to the Rebels on a number of occasions on Saturday.
Sydney University regained the lead in the 70th minute when skipper Carter made another long surge down the right flank, found support in busy hooker Silatolu Latu, who sent outside-centre Jim Stewart over for the match-winning try.
It was a tough slog for both sides, but a win the Students will savour given their record against the Rebels in recent years.
The Students travel west this Saturday to take on Parramatta in a Round 10 clash at Merrylands RSL Rugby Park.
Sydney Men's Premier Grade rugby competition - Round 9
First Grade - Shute Shield: Sydney University 27 (Jackson McCalman, Ben Hughes, Jim Stewart, Christian Yassmin tries; Angus Roberts 2 goals, pen goal) defeated Southern Districts 23 (Dewet Roos, Luke Smart tries; Matthew Teki 2 goals, 3 pen goals) at Forshaw Rugby Park.

 

[boyo]

China's 1st Grade Report

By Bruce "China" Lin
Once again Sydney was bathed in glorious sunshine for last Saturday’s faceoff at Forshaw Rugby Park. In a game which went right to the wire,University came out winners with an exhausting 27-23 victory.
A big colourful crowd buoyed by the Rebels Ladies Day, was there to see plenty of action from two teams who have had a great rivalry over the years.
Both teams traded early penalties but an overlap following repeated recycling saw the Souths winger Luke Smart score a try in the south western corner. The Rebels momentum continued with a further try through some loose University marking and soon Souths were ahead 17-3 well into the half. University restored some credibility before the halftime break when a punch down the eastern blindside saw winger Christian Yassmin scorch down the flank to score.

Southern Districts were in control at the break. Their go forward and field position was clearly affecting the discipline of the Students. They had fanatical support from their hill and a touchline marquee overflowing with the Real Housewives of Engadine.
A major regrouping was required by coach Davidson and co to get University refocused for the second half.
Whatever the University coaches said worked as the Students gained that all important first points after the break. Attacking towards that beacon of capitalism Westfields Miranda Fair, captain and centre Tom Carter ran hard and straight down the western blindside. Passing a slow moving forward Carter passed to the flying Yasmin who motored downfield to give a final pass inside to his support five eighth Ben Hughes. Hughes’ converted try narrowed the scoreline to 20-15 and the hill was suddenly silent.
University were now on a roll and the big crowd were sensing the tide was in their favour. University were gradually gaining field position. Some continuous rucks were exhausting the Souths defence. If you turned your head to look at your watch or towards the silicon valley marquee, the next try was bewildering. A standard ruck was formed on the 22 mere line. University open side breakaway Jack McCalman committed one count of Section 192E of the Crimes Act – Fraud . The defence was tricked by the Cumnock kid skirting around a ruck without a defender touching him scoring beneath the posts for a converted try.
University and their small band of die hard supporters were now smiling but underestimating a wounded Southern Rebel was premature.
Souths regathered the ball after the restart and were pressing University deep inside their half. A penalty kicked by Souths gave them a slender lead of 23-20. Time was winding down and University were compelled to attack and not be a statistic like the lower grades. The blindside was exploited again and this time centre Jim Stewart received the final pass. Stewart in a scene similar to his performance at Warringah ran hard down the touchline but used a fend to brush off a defender, bounce off some more and still have the ability to maintain his balance apply some pace and dive into the corner for an incredible try!. University were ahead 27-23 but a long four minutes was confronting them.

These last minutes were nail biting as Souths managed to pressure inside the University five metre area. University had a man in the sin bin and Souths were about to load a five metre line out. Curtains was facing University. The ball was thrown and the Souths players were aligned in a row for a set move. A wedge was formed for a trailing Souths player to drive through . All University eyes were in despair as an imminent try was about to be scored. But University devotees of the 14th Dalai Lama showed the power of positive thought as the referee awarded a penalty for that diabolical technical ruling truck and trailer. A lineout later allowed University to wind down the clock for a grand finish.
There was a profusion of smiles and backslapping amongst the happy but drained University team.
Tim Davidson put things in perspective, “The team that find a way defines the competition- you are never dead!”

 

[boyo]

Round 10: Parramatta vs. SUFC - Super Saturday

Game times/locations

Saturday 21st May
Merrylands Park (Cnr Burnett Street and Merrylands Rd, Merrylands)
Main field
1st Grade 7:30pm2nd Grade 5:55pm
3rd Grade 4:30pm
4th Grade 3:15pm
No. 2 field
1st Colts 3:00pm
2nd Colts 1:35pm
3rd Colts 12:20pm
Update on Club Championships

Sydney University Women's Rugby

Saturday 21st May
Sydney Uni vs Waverly @ 11am, St Johns Oval, Sydney Uni

 

[boyo]

Students top of the ladder

By Graham Croker
Sydney University’s dour 14-9 win over Parramatta at Merrylands Regional Park on Saturday night leap-frogged them over Randwick to the top of the Shute Shield ladder.
With eight wins from their 10 games and eight bonus points, the Students sit on 40 competition points, ahead of Randwick and Eastwood on 37, Southern Districts (36), Eastern Suburbs (35) and Manly (32).
And with a clean-sweep in their seven games on Saturday, the Students also jumped to the top of the Club Championship on 1583 points, ahead of Eastern Suburbs (1522) and Eastwood (1507).
Defence and a solid scrum at key times were once again the backbone to the win at Merrylands, with the Two Blues kept tryless despite a fair swag of possession.
The Students only managed two tries to take a 14-6 lead at the break, with the only second half points coming from the boot of Parramatta fullback Tom Woods, who added another penalty goal to the two he kicked in the first half.

The first University try came off the back of a rock-solid scrum 30m out, with blindside winger Christian Kagiassis running off five-eighth Ben Hughes to take play to within metres of the Parramatta line. From the ensuing ruck, halfback Jake Gordon’s flat pass found centre Tom Carter, who strolled two metres to score next to the posts.
The other try came in the 48th minute of a 50-minute long first half, and it was again off the back of a solid scrum. Hughes found fullback Angus Roberts with a nice ball near the Students’ quarter line. He breached the defence and kicked ahead when the cover defence arrived. Winger Matthew Narracott chased and was favoured with a good bounce to race away to score. Roberts landed the two conversions. Both tries came off the back of set pieces, with players running into gaps at pace; one close to the scrum, the other two passes wide. It can be done.
When Woods’ penalty goal took the Two Blues to within a converted try midway through the second half, the pressure mounted on the visitors. No more so than when they defended a batch of scrums on their line with a seven-man pack – flanker Jackson McCalman had been yellow-carded. It was a gripping five minutes, full of ticker and technique.

With time off for injuries, 25 penalties, a plethora of scrums on the back of too much dropped ball, and a fair smattering of lineouts, the match lingered on into the night.
Those who like solid defence, particularly some bell-ringers from University backrowers Calum Buckling and Jake Wainwright, and a great contest at the scrum, would have come away happy.
The Students will host 11th placed Gordon at Sydney University Football Ground this Saturday.
Sydney Men's Premier Grade rugby competition - Round 10
First Grade - Shute Shield: Sydney University 14 (Tom Cater, Matt Narracott tries; Angus Roberts 2 goals) defeated Parramatta 9 (Tom Woods 3 pen goals) at Merrylands Regional Park.

 

[boyo]

China's 1st Grade Report

By Bruce "China" Lin
In a tight game under lights, Sydney University ground out a 14-9 victory over the giant killers Parramatta at a new venue Merrylands Oval.
There was no shortage of both teams playing expansive rugby but somehow tries were not as easily forthcoming . Both teams were peppering each other with high balls sweating on a mistake. University were fortunate not to concede any tries. Parramatta’s goal kicker was content to slot three points early but the Students Captain Tom Carter reversed the scoreline.
Feeding off a surge from winger Kagiassis, a ruck was formed just centimetres away from the Parramatta try line. Halfback Jake Gordon then passed to the open. But instead of going wide a short ball was given to Carter who crashed over near the posts for a converted try.
The remainder of the half was a procession of big hits, high balls and there was no give or take from both teams. A minute from the break some excitement was injected. With an overlap inside his half fullback Angus Roberts ran open and diagonally kicked towards the western touchline. Motoring outside was winger Matt Narracott. With his incredible speed this road runner regathered and streaked downfield to score. Scores were 14-3 favouring the Students in a tight game.

The crowd were rugged against the chilly air and enjoying the hot food. There was a semi clothed cyclist doing laps around the velodrome track. A bizarre change from jumping castles at most grounds!
The second half was a continuation of the first a real arm wrestle was taking place. It had all the verve of watching Kim Jong-un dancing to Madonna’s Vogue. University maintained their lead through some hard defence. Parramatta continued kicking penalty goals. There was no give or take from both teams.
With a man in the bin, University entered a period of intense pressure. Parramatta were opting for five metre lineouts but somehow a dropped ball or a big tackle halted the Parramatta progress. The match ground out for a final score of 14-9. Not a particularly spectacular victory but a valuable four points.
On a more serious note Parramatta breakaway Andrew Vatuvei sustained a serious injury during the first half. Once again the skills of the club’s national living treasure Dr Kath Rae was called upon. The University clubs thoughts are with Andrew on making a speedy recovery.
Next week completes the first round where we play Gordon at home on Community Day. Children are most welcome to come down on the day for some surprises and goodies.

 

[boyo]

Round 11: SUFC vs. Gordon

Game times/locations

Saturday 28th May
Sydney University Football Ground
1st Grade 3.00pm2nd Grade 1.25pm
3rd Grade 12.00pm
4th Grade 10.45am
Chatswood Oval
1st Colts 3:00pm
2nd Colts 1:35pm
3rd Colts 12:20pm
Update on Club Championships

Sydney University Women's Rugby

Saturday 28th May
Sydney Uni vs Parramatta @ 11am, St Paul's, Sydney Uni
This is a 2015 "Grand Final" rematch.

 

[AussieDominance]

Hoping our Colts can get some good victories and our young grade sides can be competitive - small steps.

 

[boyo]

China's 1st Grade Report

By Bruce "China" Lin
The temperatures may have been reminiscent of a cool room at SUFG last Saturday but the attacking rugby was white hot as University piled on 8 tries in their 56-14 victory over Gordon.
The game was only two minutes old when winger Matt Narracott received a basic clearing kick. Collecting the ball just inside the Gordon half, Narracott commenced to zig zag through the defence and later executing a scissors pass to the hard running centre Jim Stewart coming from an angle to score. But the early lead was soon pegged back by Gordon with a converted try.
As the game progressed University were focused on attacking from all corners of the field. The next two tries were scored by Jake Gordon where his speed and shrewdness with a quick penalty tap allowed University to increase their lead to 22-7 mid way through the first half.
The game was characterised by elements of unnecessary pushing , shoving and niggling creeping off the ball. Hookers Gukibau of Gordon and Tolu Latu of the Students were dispatched to the sin bin to cool off after engaging in a heated dispute over the after match seating placements in the function room!

Despite both sides a man down University’s momentum was not stifled. The scrum was particularly potent and the young players of University were showing skills far beyond their years. The backline was running freely. Jim Stewart again was making scything busts and crunching tackles. In the forwards young draught horses Callum Buckling and Harrison Williams were revelling in the heavy forwards exchanges.
If Michael Caine’s 1971 classic gangster film was Get Carter, that failed to occur in this next segment. Carter with his experience of 34 and three quarter years straightened play when he saw a Gordon gap. Carter later passed to fullback Angus Roberts who planted a try under the posts. A further penalty before the break saw University with a good lead of 32-7 and a bonus point squared away.

The spectacle of attacking rugby continued unabated for the second half. The quick hands of the University backs down a blind side gave Narracott an early try for a 37-7 lead. But once again after a University try the opposition hit back with a hit and spin touch down while Gordon were in the five metre zone. University continued elevating the speed of the game. Another try was scored down the open while the last two were reserved for the team’s dynamic wingers Kagiassis and Narracott. Brothers of different mothers, small in stature but big in heart, the young wingers were having an exceptional game. Both players have a plethora of skills in their arsenal- speed, attack, kicking and no shirking in defence!
Our traditional rivals Eastwood are net week’s opponent in a heavyweight clash at the T.G. Millner Field.
First Grade (Shute Shield)

First Grade: Sydney University 56 (Jack Gordon 2, Matthew Narracott 2, Christian Kagiassis, Tom Carter, Jim Stewart, Angus Roberts tries; Angus Roberts 4 goals, Christian Kagiassis goals; Angus Roberts 2 pen goals) defeated Gordon 14 (Brandon Quinn, Erik Moss tries; Terry Preston 2 goals) at Sydney University Football Ground.

 

[boyo]

Round 12: Eastwood vs. Sydney Uni

Game times/locations

Saturday 4th June
T.G.Millner, Eastwood
1st Grade 3.00pm2nd Grade 1.25pm
3rd Grade 12.00pm
4th Grade 10.45am
St Paul's College Oval
1st Colts 3:00pm
2nd Colts 1:35pm
3rd Colts 12:20pm
Update on Club Championships

Sydney University Women's Rugby

Saturday 4th June
Sydney Uni Vs Warringah @ 3pm, St Johns Oval, Sydney Uni)