Tahspark
Ted Thorn (20)
Gordon's 2nd grade colts prevailed in a nail biter: 25-24. Sydney Uni too strong in colts 1s and 3s but Gordon more competitive in both of those games than the score lines might suggest.
S.U.F.C. 2016
- Thread starter boyo
- Start date
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Gordon's 2nd grade colts prevailed in a nail biter: 25-24. Sydney Uni too strong in colts 1s and 3s but Gordon more competitive in both of those games than the score lines might suggest.
AussieDominance
Trevor Allan (34)
Yep heard the scores. Promising for our guys although the expectations are now higher after the last few seasons and they would be disappointed.
Club is very excited about these guys coming through especially a lot of local players which I think will have a longer lifespan as a grade player hopefully than some of the other clubs who recruit in from other areas.
Anyway back to Sydney Uni in first grade I don't think they have fully recovered yet from the franchises limiting only Waratah players to appearances in the Shute Shield. Each year over the last few seasons they seem to be starting off again with a very new team but still obviously are always near the top.
I do seem to notice Uni have a few interesting scenarios.
Reasonably high turnover of players who don't make professional rugby and don't want too take on the most demanding training schedule in grade rugby.
Not the absolute first choice of every schoolboy player now with the emergence of the other tertiary linked programs.
Hugh Jarse
Rocky Elsom (76)
That has to be good for Sydney Club Rughy in particular, and rugby in general. Competition is good.
boyo
Mark Ella (57)
Woodies close the gap
By Graham Croker
Defending Shute Shield premiers Eastwood moved to within a point of Sydney University on the ladder with their 19-6 win at T.G. Millner Field on Saturday.
The Round 12 fixture, played in wet and windy conditions, saw the hosts keep Sydney University tryless, as they moved to second place on the ladder.
Sydney University lead the Shute Shield on 45 points, with Eastwood (44), Southern Districts (40), Eastern Suburbs (40), Warringah (39) and Northern Suburbs (38) making up a congested top six.
Despite the loss in First Grade, the Students maintained a clear lead on the Club Championship with 1954 points, clear of Eastern Suburbs (1765), Randwick (1760) and Eastwood (1720).
Sydney University ran with a strong wind at their backs in the first stanza on Saturday and spent long periods camped in Eastwood’s quarter without producing a try.
But they took 6-nil lead into the break, with fullback Angus Roberts bookending the half with penalty goals.
Eastwood opened the second half with a sustained period of phase play in the University half that produced two tries and two penalty goals.
Winger Ben Shorter went over in the right corner after a long build-up and a standard backline play with fullback Johnathon Malo entering the fray to create an overlap.
The second came after another lengthy phase build-up, with halfback Matt Gonzalez and winger Jarome MacKenzie working the blind side of a ruck to send outside-centre Mike McDougall over in the left corner.
Five-eighth Jai Ayoub had landed penalty goals each side of the tries for a 16-6 advantage.
Running into the gusty wind, the Students hit back with a long period in the Eastwood quarter without breaching the defence. They gave up two possible penalty goal chances in search of tries that never came against an umbrella defence around the breakdown.
Ayoub wrapped up proceedings with a late penalty goal in a match that produced plenty of positive football despite the conditions.
The University pack once again handled themselves with aplomb at the set pieces, with lock Matthew Philip and flanker Rohan O’Regan producing some telling defensive efforts.
Sydney University will host Penrith at the campus Football Ground this Saturday.
First Grade (Shute Shield)
First Grade: Eastwood 19 (Mike McKenzie, Ben Shorter tries; Jai Ayoub 3 pen goals) defeated Sydney University 6 (Angus Roberts 2 pen goals) at T.G. Millner Field.
Defending Shute Shield premiers Eastwood moved to within a point of Sydney University on the ladder with their 19-6 win at T.G. Millner Field on Saturday.
The Round 12 fixture, played in wet and windy conditions, saw the hosts keep Sydney University tryless, as they moved to second place on the ladder.
Sydney University lead the Shute Shield on 45 points, with Eastwood (44), Southern Districts (40), Eastern Suburbs (40), Warringah (39) and Northern Suburbs (38) making up a congested top six.
Despite the loss in First Grade, the Students maintained a clear lead on the Club Championship with 1954 points, clear of Eastern Suburbs (1765), Randwick (1760) and Eastwood (1720).
Sydney University ran with a strong wind at their backs in the first stanza on Saturday and spent long periods camped in Eastwood’s quarter without producing a try.
But they took 6-nil lead into the break, with fullback Angus Roberts bookending the half with penalty goals.
Eastwood opened the second half with a sustained period of phase play in the University half that produced two tries and two penalty goals.
Winger Ben Shorter went over in the right corner after a long build-up and a standard backline play with fullback Johnathon Malo entering the fray to create an overlap.
Five-eighth Jai Ayoub had landed penalty goals each side of the tries for a 16-6 advantage.
Running into the gusty wind, the Students hit back with a long period in the Eastwood quarter without breaching the defence. They gave up two possible penalty goal chances in search of tries that never came against an umbrella defence around the breakdown.
Ayoub wrapped up proceedings with a late penalty goal in a match that produced plenty of positive football despite the conditions.
The University pack once again handled themselves with aplomb at the set pieces, with lock Matthew Philip and flanker Rohan O’Regan producing some telling defensive efforts.
Sydney University will host Penrith at the campus Football Ground this Saturday.
First Grade (Shute Shield)
First Grade: Eastwood 19 (Mike McKenzie, Ben Shorter tries; Jai Ayoub 3 pen goals) defeated Sydney University 6 (Angus Roberts 2 pen goals) at T.G. Millner Field.
boyo
Mark Ella (57)
China's 1st Grade Report
By Bruce "China" Lin
Gales, incessant rain, mud, cold confronted the teams at the T.G. Millner Field. University could not counter these conditions and a disciplined Eastwood for a 19-6 loss.
It was always going to be a day where playing the game tight without elaborate executions would prevail. University’s scrum looked solid for a large portion of the first half and Eastwood took 17 minutes to actually breach the half way line. The Students were taking any points on offer. Fullback Angus Roberts thereafter took two penalties for a 6-0 lead at the break.
The second half was all Eastwood. With a stiff gale behind them, five eighth Ayoub kicked for field position. Their tries were both scored on either wings by pressuring University inside their quarter through basically simple plays. Eastwood were just keeping the ball very tight minimising any mistakes. The Students could not construct any continuity and were getting frustrated along the way. At the end University ran out of time. Ayoub kicked a number of penalties to increase their score to 19-6.
Scores may have been different on a dry track but today the Students did not play their usual disciplined style. Next week the whole club gets together where we take on the Penrith Emus at home.
By Bruce "China" Lin
Gales, incessant rain, mud, cold confronted the teams at the T.G. Millner Field. University could not counter these conditions and a disciplined Eastwood for a 19-6 loss.
It was always going to be a day where playing the game tight without elaborate executions would prevail. University’s scrum looked solid for a large portion of the first half and Eastwood took 17 minutes to actually breach the half way line. The Students were taking any points on offer. Fullback Angus Roberts thereafter took two penalties for a 6-0 lead at the break.
Scores may have been different on a dry track but today the Students did not play their usual disciplined style. Next week the whole club gets together where we take on the Penrith Emus at home.
boyo
Mark Ella (57)
Round 13: Sydney Uni vs Penrith
Super Saturday
Game times/locations
Saturday 11th June
Sydney University Football Ground
1st Grade 3.00pm2nd Grade 1.25pm
3rd Grade 12.00pm
4th Grade 10.45am
St John's College Oval
1st Colts 1.25pm
2nd Colts 12.00pm
3rd Colts 10.45am
Update on Club Championships
Sydney University Women's Rugby
BYE ROUND
Super Saturday
Game times/locations
Saturday 11th June
Sydney University Football Ground
1st Grade 3.00pm2nd Grade 1.25pm
3rd Grade 12.00pm
4th Grade 10.45am
St John's College Oval
1st Colts 1.25pm
2nd Colts 12.00pm
3rd Colts 10.45am
Update on Club Championships
Sydney University Women's Rugby
BYE ROUND
boyo
Mark Ella (57)
Tryfest for Students
By Graham Croker
14th June, 2016
Sydney University ran in 14 tries in their in their 88-5 thumping of Penrith at the campus Football Ground on Saturday.
The Students posted six first half tries to lead 38-5 at the break and ran at will in a one-sided 50-nil second half as the Penrith pack and defensive line wilted under pressure.
With Sydney University attacking from all parts of the ground, chunky wingers Saia Tanginoa (3) and Christian Kagiassis (2) ran with spiders in the pockets to pick up five tries between them.
Both had a licence to run free range and they made the most of it. Kagiassis’ first half try was a gem. Having made a bullocking run to the left edge, he back up three phases later to take an inside pass from centre Tom Carter to race away untouched.
Fullback Angus Roberts also enjoyed the outing, making a number of long breaks from counter-attack raids and kick-off returns.
And halfback Jake Gordon bagged another pair of tries through his astuteness at breaks of play.
The Sydney University pack continues to impress, with solid contributions from one to eight in the set pieces and the field play.
The Penrith pack held up well until early in the second half when loosehead prop Ikuna Manufetoa departed the scene. None tried harder for the visitors than lock Tuitakau Kioa, who made three long breaks but lacked support runners, and number eight Jason Haeva, who peeled off the back of a solid scrum to set up winger Hokulani Taupeamuhu for the visitor’s only try.
The win kept Sydney University at the top of Shute Shield ladder on 50 points, with Southern Districts (45), Eastwood (44), Northern Suburbs (43), Randwick (42) and Eastern Suburbs (41) making up the top six.
And the clean-sweep through all grades and Colts, gave SUFC a handy lead in the Club Championship with games against Randwick at Coogee Oval, Warringah at home and Eastern Suburbs at Woollahra Oval on the agenda over the next three weekends.
Sydney University lead the Club Championship on 2224 points, ahead of Randwick (1916) and Eastern Suburbs (1857).
One man who would have been happy to read the results in the Sunday papers would have been former SUFC president Andrew Murray, who was made a Member (AM) in the General Division in the Queen’s Birthday honours for significant service through contributions to aero-medical, conservation, education and research organisations and to rugby union.
Mr Murray was the president who led SUFC from Second Division back into First Division. He was also prop in the Dave Brockhoff-coached 1968 side that won the Shute Shield.
First Grade (Shute Shield)
First Grade: Sydney University 88 (Saia Tanginoa 3, Christian Kagiassis 2, Jake Gordon 2, Jackson McCalman, Ben Hughes, Folau Fiingaa, Siaosi Halaifonjua, Hugh Frazer, Tom Carter, Richie Williams tries; Angus Roberts 5 goals, Christian Kagiassis 4 goals) defeated Penrith 5 (Hokulani Taupeamuhu) at Sydney University Football Ground.
Want to see the game footage? Full game link below!
14th June, 2016
Sydney University ran in 14 tries in their in their 88-5 thumping of Penrith at the campus Football Ground on Saturday.
The Students posted six first half tries to lead 38-5 at the break and ran at will in a one-sided 50-nil second half as the Penrith pack and defensive line wilted under pressure.
With Sydney University attacking from all parts of the ground, chunky wingers Saia Tanginoa (3) and Christian Kagiassis (2) ran with spiders in the pockets to pick up five tries between them.
Both had a licence to run free range and they made the most of it. Kagiassis’ first half try was a gem. Having made a bullocking run to the left edge, he back up three phases later to take an inside pass from centre Tom Carter to race away untouched.
Fullback Angus Roberts also enjoyed the outing, making a number of long breaks from counter-attack raids and kick-off returns.
And halfback Jake Gordon bagged another pair of tries through his astuteness at breaks of play.
The Penrith pack held up well until early in the second half when loosehead prop Ikuna Manufetoa departed the scene. None tried harder for the visitors than lock Tuitakau Kioa, who made three long breaks but lacked support runners, and number eight Jason Haeva, who peeled off the back of a solid scrum to set up winger Hokulani Taupeamuhu for the visitor’s only try.
The win kept Sydney University at the top of Shute Shield ladder on 50 points, with Southern Districts (45), Eastwood (44), Northern Suburbs (43), Randwick (42) and Eastern Suburbs (41) making up the top six.
And the clean-sweep through all grades and Colts, gave SUFC a handy lead in the Club Championship with games against Randwick at Coogee Oval, Warringah at home and Eastern Suburbs at Woollahra Oval on the agenda over the next three weekends.
Sydney University lead the Club Championship on 2224 points, ahead of Randwick (1916) and Eastern Suburbs (1857).
Mr Murray was the president who led SUFC from Second Division back into First Division. He was also prop in the Dave Brockhoff-coached 1968 side that won the Shute Shield.
First Grade (Shute Shield)
First Grade: Sydney University 88 (Saia Tanginoa 3, Christian Kagiassis 2, Jake Gordon 2, Jackson McCalman, Ben Hughes, Folau Fiingaa, Siaosi Halaifonjua, Hugh Frazer, Tom Carter, Richie Williams tries; Angus Roberts 5 goals, Christian Kagiassis 4 goals) defeated Penrith 5 (Hokulani Taupeamuhu) at Sydney University Football Ground.
Want to see the game footage? Full game link below!
boyo
Mark Ella (57)
China's 1st Grade Report
By Bruce "China" Lin
A dry track last Saturday at SUFG were ideal conditions for University to display pure attacking rugby with a 13 try defeat of the Penrith Emus.
Penrith were competitive for the initial 10 minutes holding the Students scoreless. Soon after University continually recycled possession causing them to back pedal the Emus.
Half way through the half University were ahead 19-0. Again the newcomers to grade hooker Folau Fainga'a and winger Christian Kagiassis were making their presence felt with incisive runs and well executed tries.
The experienced helmsmen centre Tom Carter and half back Jake Gordon were always steadying and maintaining continuity to keep Penrith back pedalling with quick taps. Penrith did score through an adventurous flick pass down a bare blindside. However the halftime scoreline of 38-5 clearly indicated that University were in control.
There was no respite for Penrith after the break as University quickly scored following some scavenging of the ball near the try line by breakaway Jack McCalman. Whenever the ball was spread wide by five eighth Ben Hughes, Kagiassis and his other winger the burly Tongan tap dancer Saia Tanginoa were proving a handful to keep down.
There was a plethora of tries from all corners of the field, an eastern Han dynasty abacus was brought out to keep pace with the evolving scoreline. Even club Voice on the microphone Andrew Coorey mistook Tanginoa for Kagiassis after a try give or take a few kilograms and height such was the flurry of activity.
The scoreline had exceeded 80 points. There was minimal kicking as attack was the objective. During the latter stages of the half the introduction of reserves was applied to rest players.
There were too many try scorers to mention. But the teamwork displayed was the overall achievement. Combinations on show this day will be needed next week in a showdown with Randwick at Coogee Oval.
A dry track last Saturday at SUFG were ideal conditions for University to display pure attacking rugby with a 13 try defeat of the Penrith Emus.
Penrith were competitive for the initial 10 minutes holding the Students scoreless. Soon after University continually recycled possession causing them to back pedal the Emus.
Half way through the half University were ahead 19-0. Again the newcomers to grade hooker Folau Fainga'a and winger Christian Kagiassis were making their presence felt with incisive runs and well executed tries.
The experienced helmsmen centre Tom Carter and half back Jake Gordon were always steadying and maintaining continuity to keep Penrith back pedalling with quick taps. Penrith did score through an adventurous flick pass down a bare blindside. However the halftime scoreline of 38-5 clearly indicated that University were in control.
There was no respite for Penrith after the break as University quickly scored following some scavenging of the ball near the try line by breakaway Jack McCalman. Whenever the ball was spread wide by five eighth Ben Hughes, Kagiassis and his other winger the burly Tongan tap dancer Saia Tanginoa were proving a handful to keep down.
The scoreline had exceeded 80 points. There was minimal kicking as attack was the objective. During the latter stages of the half the introduction of reserves was applied to rest players.
There were too many try scorers to mention. But the teamwork displayed was the overall achievement. Combinations on show this day will be needed next week in a showdown with Randwick at Coogee Oval.
boyo
Mark Ella (57)
Round 14: Randwick vs. Sydney Uni
Game times/locations
Saturday 18th June
Coogee Oval
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 12.00pm
Update on Club Championships
Sydney University Women's Rugby
Saturday 18th June
Wollongon Uni vs. Sydney Uni @ 11am - Wollongong University
Game times/locations
Saturday 18th June
Coogee Oval
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 12.00pm
Update on Club Championships
Sydney University Women's Rugby
Saturday 18th June
Wollongon Uni vs. Sydney Uni @ 11am - Wollongong University
boyo
Mark Ella (57)
Wicks too clinical for Students
By Graham Croker
21st June, 2016
Randwick joined Sydney University and Southern Districts at the top of the Shute Shield ladder with their 36-26 win over the Students at Coogee Oval on Saturday.
The hosts were too clinical for Sydney University in the six tries to four win. The short story: In an entertaining end-to-end affair, Randwick took most of their chances, while Sydney University made too many mistakes (read dropped ball and bad passes) when they reached the red zone. And it cost them dearly.
Sydney University head the Shute Shield ladder on for and against on 51 points, with Southern Districts (51), Randwick (51), Northern Suburbs (48), Manly (47) and Eastern Suburbs (46) making up the top six.
And with wins in six of the seven games on Saturday, Sydney University remain at the top of the Club Championship on 2370 points, with Randwick (2145) and Eastern Suburbs (2125) in close contention.
Sydney University’s first mistake on Saturday was a bad clearance from the start of play. Randwick number eight Sam Croke cracked the defence with a long run and from the resulting inside centre David Horwitz and winger Seamus Frost combined to send outside centre Brogan Roods over in the corner. It was 5-nil inside three minutes.
Croke was on hand for the second try after the Wicks moved the ball from the left flank to the right flank and back off a five-metre lineout. Five-eighth Andrew Deegan landed the conversion and the host led 12-nil in as many minutes.
Operating on the back of three successive penalties, Randwick continued the assault until the Students finally gained some ball and returned serve. But dropped passes on the end of multiple phase attacks kept them scoreless until the 24th minute when outside centre Jim Stewart sent winger Christian Kagiassis over after a regulation backline play off a lineout.
Randwick retaliated from the restart with halfback Mitch Short scooting away from a lineout and then scoring off a ruck two plays later. Deegan converted for a 19-5 scoreline.
And just before halftime, the hosts posted a bonus point try when Deegan and fullback Andrew Kellaway combined to send Croke over for his second. Randwick went to the break leading 24-5 having played the last 10 minutes of the half against 14 men, with the Students having lost number eight Jake Wainright to a yellow card for a lifting tackle.
The two sides traded tries at the opening of the second half, with Sydney University five-eighth Ben Hughes collecting a fumbled pass and leaving defenders in his wake in a 35m run to the line. Fullback Angus Roberts converted.
Randwick replied with a seven-phase attack that ended with Frost scoring in the corner for a 29-12 scoreline.
But the Students hit back with two tries, the first to halfback Jake Gordon after Tom Carter had taken a quick tap penalty, and the next to prop Paddy Ryan on the back of another quick tap penalty. Roberts converted both for a 29-26 scoreline and an intriguing finish.
Randwick immediately gained territorial sway with a bad kick-off reception by the Students and after a number of phases in the University quarter Kellaway jinked his way through to score wide out. Deegan landed the extras and the Students were left playing catch-up football.
The hosts had good performers in Croke, Kellaway, Deegan and flanker Mark Baldwin, while the Students were well served by Carter, Stewart and Gordon in the backs, and hooker Folau Fainga’a, lock Calum Buckling and flanker Rohan O’Regan in the forwards.
Sydney University will host Warringah at the campus Football Ground this Saturday.
First Grade (Shute Shield)
First Grade: Randwick 36 (Sam Croke 2, Mitch Short, Seamus Frost, Brogan Roods, Andrew Kellaway tries; Andrew Deegan 3 goals) defeated Sydney University 26 (Paddy Ryan, Jake Gordon, Ben Hughes, Christian Kagiassis tries; Angus Roberts 3 goals at Sydney Coogee Oval.
By Graham Croker
21st June, 2016
Randwick joined Sydney University and Southern Districts at the top of the Shute Shield ladder with their 36-26 win over the Students at Coogee Oval on Saturday.
The hosts were too clinical for Sydney University in the six tries to four win. The short story: In an entertaining end-to-end affair, Randwick took most of their chances, while Sydney University made too many mistakes (read dropped ball and bad passes) when they reached the red zone. And it cost them dearly.
Sydney University head the Shute Shield ladder on for and against on 51 points, with Southern Districts (51), Randwick (51), Northern Suburbs (48), Manly (47) and Eastern Suburbs (46) making up the top six.
And with wins in six of the seven games on Saturday, Sydney University remain at the top of the Club Championship on 2370 points, with Randwick (2145) and Eastern Suburbs (2125) in close contention.
Sydney University’s first mistake on Saturday was a bad clearance from the start of play. Randwick number eight Sam Croke cracked the defence with a long run and from the resulting inside centre David Horwitz and winger Seamus Frost combined to send outside centre Brogan Roods over in the corner. It was 5-nil inside three minutes.
Croke was on hand for the second try after the Wicks moved the ball from the left flank to the right flank and back off a five-metre lineout. Five-eighth Andrew Deegan landed the conversion and the host led 12-nil in as many minutes.
Randwick retaliated from the restart with halfback Mitch Short scooting away from a lineout and then scoring off a ruck two plays later. Deegan converted for a 19-5 scoreline.
And just before halftime, the hosts posted a bonus point try when Deegan and fullback Andrew Kellaway combined to send Croke over for his second. Randwick went to the break leading 24-5 having played the last 10 minutes of the half against 14 men, with the Students having lost number eight Jake Wainright to a yellow card for a lifting tackle.
The two sides traded tries at the opening of the second half, with Sydney University five-eighth Ben Hughes collecting a fumbled pass and leaving defenders in his wake in a 35m run to the line. Fullback Angus Roberts converted.
Randwick replied with a seven-phase attack that ended with Frost scoring in the corner for a 29-12 scoreline.
But the Students hit back with two tries, the first to halfback Jake Gordon after Tom Carter had taken a quick tap penalty, and the next to prop Paddy Ryan on the back of another quick tap penalty. Roberts converted both for a 29-26 scoreline and an intriguing finish.
Randwick immediately gained territorial sway with a bad kick-off reception by the Students and after a number of phases in the University quarter Kellaway jinked his way through to score wide out. Deegan landed the extras and the Students were left playing catch-up football.
The hosts had good performers in Croke, Kellaway, Deegan and flanker Mark Baldwin, while the Students were well served by Carter, Stewart and Gordon in the backs, and hooker Folau Fainga’a, lock Calum Buckling and flanker Rohan O’Regan in the forwards.
Sydney University will host Warringah at the campus Football Ground this Saturday.
First Grade (Shute Shield)
First Grade: Randwick 36 (Sam Croke 2, Mitch Short, Seamus Frost, Brogan Roods, Andrew Kellaway tries; Andrew Deegan 3 goals) defeated Sydney University 26 (Paddy Ryan, Jake Gordon, Ben Hughes, Christian Kagiassis tries; Angus Roberts 3 goals at Sydney Coogee Oval.
boyo
Mark Ella (57)
China's 1st Grade Report
By Bruce "China" Lin
There were tries overflowing at Coogee Oval last Saturday as Randwick’s explosive first half caused a defeat of University 36-26.
The Wicks came out of the blocks fast as only 2 minutes had elapsed before a try was scored in the grandstand corner. This try also effectively saw the end of University’s pocket rocket winger Matt Narracott who sustained a serious arm injury.
Before University could regroup another quick try was scored in the seaside corner. Conversions and penalty kicks kept the score ticking over for Randwick. Nothing was going right for the Students and dropped balls were only compounding the anguish. At one stage late in the first half Randwick was ahead 24-0. You would wish for some type of distraction for Randwick to nod off and give University a chance to score. Maybe the tables for trivia night at the Beach Palace Pavilion could be the answer. University just needed an opportunity to score.
Just on the stroke of half time a fracture appeared in the Randwick armour when the ball was swung wide through the University hands resulting in University’s Christian Kagiassis scoring in the corner.
The half ended 24-5 to Randwick and the words from the University coaches would have been on par with Sir Winston Churchill’s wartime address.
Whatever was said in the confines of the bunker seemed to have worked as University replicated Randwick’s tactics-by scoring early. In a bizarre start from the kickoff the ball somehow deflected off players for a regather by Students five eighth Ben Hughes. Hughes young in age but mature beyond his years- probably because of his beard, calmly regathered and sprinted downfield to score under the posts. Just as you thought Randwick were on the back foot a replying try was scored for a scoreline of 29-12.
The game then went into a period where University took the ascendancy. Some ferocious tackling and rucking inside the Randwick quarter saw the Students receive penalties. Halfback Jake Gordon took a quick tap and pass on to Callum Buckling who crashed over beside the posts. University continued placing Randwick under pressure soon after gaining another try through that cheeky fellow Jake Gordon outsprinting a defence who were not alert to his penchant for quick taps. 29-26 was the scoreline and there was a real glimmer of hope that University were mounting a comeback.
However a pumped up Randwick counterpunched again with another try. Some resolute defence saw the final score of 36-26. University coaches will no doubt focus on eliminating mistakes which allow opposition to accrue easy tries for our clash with the Warringah Rats at SUFG next Saturday.
There were tries overflowing at Coogee Oval last Saturday as Randwick’s explosive first half caused a defeat of University 36-26.
The Wicks came out of the blocks fast as only 2 minutes had elapsed before a try was scored in the grandstand corner. This try also effectively saw the end of University’s pocket rocket winger Matt Narracott who sustained a serious arm injury.
Before University could regroup another quick try was scored in the seaside corner. Conversions and penalty kicks kept the score ticking over for Randwick. Nothing was going right for the Students and dropped balls were only compounding the anguish. At one stage late in the first half Randwick was ahead 24-0. You would wish for some type of distraction for Randwick to nod off and give University a chance to score. Maybe the tables for trivia night at the Beach Palace Pavilion could be the answer. University just needed an opportunity to score.
Just on the stroke of half time a fracture appeared in the Randwick armour when the ball was swung wide through the University hands resulting in University’s Christian Kagiassis scoring in the corner.
The half ended 24-5 to Randwick and the words from the University coaches would have been on par with Sir Winston Churchill’s wartime address.
Whatever was said in the confines of the bunker seemed to have worked as University replicated Randwick’s tactics-by scoring early. In a bizarre start from the kickoff the ball somehow deflected off players for a regather by Students five eighth Ben Hughes. Hughes young in age but mature beyond his years- probably because of his beard, calmly regathered and sprinted downfield to score under the posts. Just as you thought Randwick were on the back foot a replying try was scored for a scoreline of 29-12.
The game then went into a period where University took the ascendancy. Some ferocious tackling and rucking inside the Randwick quarter saw the Students receive penalties. Halfback Jake Gordon took a quick tap and pass on to Callum Buckling who crashed over beside the posts. University continued placing Randwick under pressure soon after gaining another try through that cheeky fellow Jake Gordon outsprinting a defence who were not alert to his penchant for quick taps. 29-26 was the scoreline and there was a real glimmer of hope that University were mounting a comeback.
However a pumped up Randwick counterpunched again with another try. Some resolute defence saw the final score of 36-26. University coaches will no doubt focus on eliminating mistakes which allow opposition to accrue easy tries for our clash with the Warringah Rats at SUFG next Saturday.
boyo
Mark Ella (57)
Round 15: Sydney Uni vs. Warringah
Game times/locations
Saturday 25th June
Sydney University Football Ground
1st Grade 3.00pm2nd Grade 1.25pm
3rd Grade 12.00pm
4th Grade 10.45am
Pittwater Rugby Park
1st Colts 3.00pm
2nd Colts 1.35pm
3rd Colts 12.00pm
Update on Club Championships
Sydney University Women's Rugby
Friday 24th - Sunday 26th June
Women's National Championships
St Ignatius College, Riverview
Game times/locations
Saturday 25th June
Sydney University Football Ground
1st Grade 3.00pm2nd Grade 1.25pm
3rd Grade 12.00pm
4th Grade 10.45am
Pittwater Rugby Park
1st Colts 3.00pm
2nd Colts 1.35pm
3rd Colts 12.00pm
Update on Club Championships
Sydney University Women's Rugby
Friday 24th - Sunday 26th June
Women's National Championships
St Ignatius College, Riverview
boyo
Mark Ella (57)
Sydney University salvage a draw
By Graham Croker
28th June, 2016
Sydney University scored a converted try after the bell to force a 41-all draw with Warringah in their Round 15 Shute Shield clash at the campus Football Ground on Saturday.
In an epic battle which Warringah led from go to a whisker from whoa, Sydney University five-eighth Stuart Dunbar crossed for a try well into extra time, leaving winger Christian Kagiassis the task of landing an angled conversion to draw the match. His left-footed boomer never looked like missing.
In a match for the ages, the Students trailed 24-3 early in the first half and 35-17 well into the second half, but scored five tries to four to salvage some valuable points and maintain their lead in the Club Championship.
With three competition rounds to be played, Sydney University sit on 2533 points in the Club Championship, with Randwick closing in on 2360.
Saturday’s draw saw Sydney University surrender their lead on the Shute Shield ladder which is now headed by the Wicks on 56, with Southern Districts (56) Sydney University (54), Northern Suburbs (53), Manly (52) and Warringah (48) making up the top six.
It was a fitting finale to a tough round against the Rats, with Sydney University winning the other three grades and the three Colts fixtures by narrow margins.
The Students will be looking for a clean sweep against Eastern Suburbs at Woollahra Oval next Saturday to consolidate their position before rounding out the season proper with games against Western Suburbs at Concord Oval on July 9 and Parramatta at Sydney University Football Ground on July 16.
First Grade (Shute Shield)
First Grade: Sydney University 41 (Paddy Ryan, Folau Fainga’a, Stuart Dunbar, Angus Roberts, Silatolu Latu tries; Christian Kagiassis 5 goals, 2 pen goals) drew with Warringah 41 (Harry Jones 2, Sebastian Wileman, Michael Adams tries; Hamish Angus 3 goals, 5 pen goals) at Sydney University Football Ground.
28th June, 2016
Sydney University scored a converted try after the bell to force a 41-all draw with Warringah in their Round 15 Shute Shield clash at the campus Football Ground on Saturday.
In an epic battle which Warringah led from go to a whisker from whoa, Sydney University five-eighth Stuart Dunbar crossed for a try well into extra time, leaving winger Christian Kagiassis the task of landing an angled conversion to draw the match. His left-footed boomer never looked like missing.
In a match for the ages, the Students trailed 24-3 early in the first half and 35-17 well into the second half, but scored five tries to four to salvage some valuable points and maintain their lead in the Club Championship.
With three competition rounds to be played, Sydney University sit on 2533 points in the Club Championship, with Randwick closing in on 2360.
Saturday’s draw saw Sydney University surrender their lead on the Shute Shield ladder which is now headed by the Wicks on 56, with Southern Districts (56) Sydney University (54), Northern Suburbs (53), Manly (52) and Warringah (48) making up the top six.
It was a fitting finale to a tough round against the Rats, with Sydney University winning the other three grades and the three Colts fixtures by narrow margins.
The Students will be looking for a clean sweep against Eastern Suburbs at Woollahra Oval next Saturday to consolidate their position before rounding out the season proper with games against Western Suburbs at Concord Oval on July 9 and Parramatta at Sydney University Football Ground on July 16.
First Grade (Shute Shield)
First Grade: Sydney University 41 (Paddy Ryan, Folau Fainga’a, Stuart Dunbar, Angus Roberts, Silatolu Latu tries; Christian Kagiassis 5 goals, 2 pen goals) drew with Warringah 41 (Harry Jones 2, Sebastian Wileman, Michael Adams tries; Hamish Angus 3 goals, 5 pen goals) at Sydney University Football Ground.
boyo
Mark Ella (57)
China's 1st Grade Report
By Bruce "China" Lin
University’s penchant for allowing opposition teams a heady start reappeared again last Saturday at the SUFG. There was a plague of green Rats gnawing at the Students during the first half.
Warringah’s first try was more confusing than the United Kingdom’s recent Brexit decision with the bizarre lead up. University winger Jack Redden received a Warringah clearing kick which rebounded off a player beforehand. Redden pierced through the middle making a break only to be ankle tapped. The ball was flung back to be kept alive but was regathered by a trailing Warringah player. The little rodent gleefully trotted downfield for the easiest of tries. The Students were there on worst enemies as mistakes, penalties, giving intercepts and a questionable sin binning were duly accepted by Warringah. That wee lad from the northern beaches highlands Hamish Angus compounded University’s woes with his accurate boot. Before long Warringah were well ahead 29-0.
University’s coaches again worked their miracles in the 10 minute break as there was a roller coaster nail biting 40 minutes about to occur.University did score a converted try before the break but there was a mountain of improvement that needed to occur for the second half on a sunny but icy cold afternoon at Camperdown.
Following a few Angus long range penalties University’s X factor outside centre Jim Stewart was introduced. From the moment Stewart touched the ball the hard running centre split the defensive line to set up a try. Goal kicking winger Christian Kagiassis was just as accurate with the boot and University had inched to 35-31 with 20 minutes left to play. Angus continued providing the buffer for his team for a 41-31 scoreline with 5 minutes left to play. Kagiassis later kicked a penalty for scores at 41-34.
The luck then swung towards the Students. A Warringah breakaway was sin binned for killing the ball at the ruck.University inched their way inside Warringah territory. The full time bell had sounded however the referee continued play according to his watch. Warringah could not risk kicking the ball into touch to give University attacking field position. Their best hope was to wind down the clock through standard pick and drives off the ruck.
University somehow managed to scavenge possession and were later awarded a penalty. Kicking for touch would be the norm to construct a driving maul. But University decided to apply some epistemology by opting for a scrum. With a numerical advantage the odds were in favour to steamroll over the Warringah pack for a penalty. This occurred on multiple occasions only for University to re set the scrum. Possession was monopolised while enormous pressure was placed on Warringah.
On the umpteenth scrum reset the ball was thrown open and new five eighth Stu Dunbar took the opportunity to run. Dunbar stepped, jinked and sliced through crashing over near the posts. Scores were 41-39 and eyes were now focused on Kagiassis for the defining conversion.
The ball was lined up and a subtle spray of Windex was applied to the talented wingers boot. Kagiassis approached the ball and connected sweetly nurtured through his junior years playing for Panathinaikos. The assistant referees raised their flags and the final score was 41-41. The sequel to Paul Brickhill’s 1950 classic The Great Escape had been drafted!
Warringah coaches former University men the Leonardo De Caprio of the Shute Shield Greg Marr and Julian Huxley were drained by the result. University Captain Tom Carter swathed in bandages, bruises and dirt was praising his team. Carter saw the significance of these 3 points. “Warringah won 4 from 4 against Randwick so today was an incredible effort,” said Carter.
The games do not get any easier next week against Eastern Suburbs at Woollahra Oval.
By Bruce "China" Lin
University’s penchant for allowing opposition teams a heady start reappeared again last Saturday at the SUFG. There was a plague of green Rats gnawing at the Students during the first half.
Warringah’s first try was more confusing than the United Kingdom’s recent Brexit decision with the bizarre lead up. University winger Jack Redden received a Warringah clearing kick which rebounded off a player beforehand. Redden pierced through the middle making a break only to be ankle tapped. The ball was flung back to be kept alive but was regathered by a trailing Warringah player. The little rodent gleefully trotted downfield for the easiest of tries. The Students were there on worst enemies as mistakes, penalties, giving intercepts and a questionable sin binning were duly accepted by Warringah. That wee lad from the northern beaches highlands Hamish Angus compounded University’s woes with his accurate boot. Before long Warringah were well ahead 29-0.
University’s coaches again worked their miracles in the 10 minute break as there was a roller coaster nail biting 40 minutes about to occur.University did score a converted try before the break but there was a mountain of improvement that needed to occur for the second half on a sunny but icy cold afternoon at Camperdown.
Following a few Angus long range penalties University’s X factor outside centre Jim Stewart was introduced. From the moment Stewart touched the ball the hard running centre split the defensive line to set up a try. Goal kicking winger Christian Kagiassis was just as accurate with the boot and University had inched to 35-31 with 20 minutes left to play. Angus continued providing the buffer for his team for a 41-31 scoreline with 5 minutes left to play. Kagiassis later kicked a penalty for scores at 41-34.
The luck then swung towards the Students. A Warringah breakaway was sin binned for killing the ball at the ruck.University inched their way inside Warringah territory. The full time bell had sounded however the referee continued play according to his watch. Warringah could not risk kicking the ball into touch to give University attacking field position. Their best hope was to wind down the clock through standard pick and drives off the ruck.
On the umpteenth scrum reset the ball was thrown open and new five eighth Stu Dunbar took the opportunity to run. Dunbar stepped, jinked and sliced through crashing over near the posts. Scores were 41-39 and eyes were now focused on Kagiassis for the defining conversion.
The ball was lined up and a subtle spray of Windex was applied to the talented wingers boot. Kagiassis approached the ball and connected sweetly nurtured through his junior years playing for Panathinaikos. The assistant referees raised their flags and the final score was 41-41. The sequel to Paul Brickhill’s 1950 classic The Great Escape had been drafted!
Warringah coaches former University men the Leonardo De Caprio of the Shute Shield Greg Marr and Julian Huxley were drained by the result. University Captain Tom Carter swathed in bandages, bruises and dirt was praising his team. Carter saw the significance of these 3 points. “Warringah won 4 from 4 against Randwick so today was an incredible effort,” said Carter.
The games do not get any easier next week against Eastern Suburbs at Woollahra Oval.
boyo
Mark Ella (57)
Round 16: Sydney Uni vs. Eastern Suburbs
Game times/locations
Saturday 2nd July
Woollahra Oval 1
1st Grade - 3.00pm
2nd Grade - 1.25pm
1st Colts - 11.50am
3rd Grade - 10.25am
4th Grade - 9.10am
Woollahra 2
2nd Colts - 10.25am
3rd Colts - 9.10am
Update on Club Championships
Sydney University Women's Rugby
Saturday 2nd July
Blacktown vs. Sydney Uni @ Grantham Reserve, 2pm
Game times/locations
Saturday 2nd July
Woollahra Oval 1
1st Grade - 3.00pm
2nd Grade - 1.25pm
1st Colts - 11.50am
3rd Grade - 10.25am
4th Grade - 9.10am
Woollahra 2
2nd Colts - 10.25am
3rd Colts - 9.10am
Update on Club Championships
Sydney University Women's Rugby
Saturday 2nd July
Blacktown vs. Sydney Uni @ Grantham Reserve, 2pm
boyo
Mark Ella (57)
A historic win for the Students over the Beasties
By Darrell Croker
4th July, 2016
An incredible 50-minute resurgence enabled Sydney Uni to garner an unlikely 43-41 victory over Eastern Suburbs at Woollahra on Saturday. It seemed Jim Barry’s Vineyard would be Uni’s graveyard with the hosts leading 34-0 after 24 minutes and 34-14 at “oranges” before the Students produced their trademark second-stanza rally.
Easts ran in five first-half tries through eschewing the bane of Australian rugby, the cut-out pass, instead using a traditional draw-and-transfer method ultimately to well-angled runners hitting gaps. Quick recycling of ball aided and abetted this approach as did an assured set piece.
Easts looked to play an expansive game from the get-go, went nowhere in multiple phases and resorted to a kick. Uni obliged with a turnover and the Beasties had their first try before three minutes thanks to inside centre Josh Toole running a straight line. Archie King missed a relatively easy and ultimately telling conversion.
A rare Uni foray into Easts territory resulted in a missed Christian Kagiassis penalty, but it was an early indication the tricolours were prepared to chance their arm at the breakdown in the red zone. It ultimately proved their undoing. Despite establishing a 34-point advantage they were happy to transgress, which only provided Uni with points, momentum and hope.
Stuart Dunbar replaced Uni five-eighth Ben Hughes before 10 minutes but he had few opportunities to display his wares as Easts continued on their merry way. They added a penalty to King to make it 8-0 after 11 minutes and then tries to halfback Angus Pulver (15 minutes), fullback Jack Maddocks (19 minutes) and two to prop Clay Brodie (27 minutes and 30 minutes). King converted two including a boomer from the sideline, and Maddocks one.
Easts were playing an attractive brand of 15-man, ball-in-hand footy. Brodie backed up down the middle of the field for his first after King put flanker Rowan Perry on a barnstorming run. The lightning prop had a double within three minutes, after popping up on the left wing and streaking into the corner. What? Had the Students been sipping the grapes of wrath?
They are made of sterner stuff and a succession of penalties provided them with a sniff. Discipline prevailed despite Easts’ stout defence and halfback Jake Gordon was able to dive over under the sticks after multiple phases. Kagiassis converted and it was 34-7 six minutes before the break.
Right winger Chris Ingate crossed a couple of minutes later after fine lead-up work by lock Lachlan Swinton and fullback Angus Roberts. Kagiassis nonchalantly potted and it remained 34-14 until the juncture.
Uni definitely had the 20-plus points in them required for the second half. It was just a matter of how much resolve they would show in defence.
Once Dunbar started to run onto the ball the chances came for Uni. Flanker Hugh Frazer was in not long after the resumption following sustained Uni attack and insightful play from rake Folau Fainga’a. Kagiassis goaled, 34-21 Easts and game on. Uni looked positive and Easts nothing like the slick outfit of the first half.
Uni’s set piece improved, the penalties came and so did the inroads. Fullback Angus Roberts was in for the first of his well-deserved double inside 50 minutes, duly converted, and it was 34-28 in a transformed game.
Thomas Carter’s pick-and-drive try at the midpoint of the second half after well-co-ordinated and structured attack put the game at 34-33 in Easts’ favour, but the ascendancy was all with Uni and it showed in their spirited defence that rejected a 17-phase attack.
Roberts scored his second soon after from a lineout and straight, purposeful running from his inside backs. Kagiassis missed the conversion but at 38-34 Uni’s way entering the championship stage all the signs pointed to the Students.
Woollahra has always been a good kicking ground and Uni were able to apply pressure with a territory game as well as ball in hand. It paid dividends when sustained pressure and backline basics resulted in Kagiassis crossing over wide out. He couldn’t complement his determined finish with the conversion but it was Uni 43-34 and Easts shellshocked.
The home side did complete the scoring through a Ratu Tagive try.
Jake Gordon’s ability to assess and control the tempo of a game complements his clearance, kicking game and ability to snipe. Locks Jordan Chapman and Lachlan Swinton are players around which Uni can build a dynasty.
Uni are to be commended for coming from nowhere two weeks in succession, but leaking 82 points to sides unlikely to figure at the very pointy end of the season obviously needs addressing. And if we must kick, pressure should apply.
First grade’s win topped off a useful “Super Saturday” at Woollahra with Uni only dropping second and fourth grade. All in all a productive trip to the leafy harbour suburb, once a prime source of arboreal material for infamous former students and their university holiday moneymaking “landscape gardening” businesses.
But whatever killed Jim Barry’s grapes was residual, with the Woollahra surface was drier than a teetotaller’s wake, an event similar in mood to Easts’ celebrations.
First Grade (Shute Shield)
First Grade: Sydney University 43 (Angus Roberts 2, Chris Ingate, Thomas Carter, Christian Kagiassis, Jake Gordon, Hugh Frazer tries; Kagiassis 4 goals) d Eastern Suburbs 41 (Clay Brodie 2, Angus Pulver, Josh Toole, Ratu Tagive, J Maddocks tries; Archie King 3 goals, pen goal; Maddocks goal) at Jim Barry Vineyard, Woollahra.
4th July, 2016
An incredible 50-minute resurgence enabled Sydney Uni to garner an unlikely 43-41 victory over Eastern Suburbs at Woollahra on Saturday. It seemed Jim Barry’s Vineyard would be Uni’s graveyard with the hosts leading 34-0 after 24 minutes and 34-14 at “oranges” before the Students produced their trademark second-stanza rally.
Easts ran in five first-half tries through eschewing the bane of Australian rugby, the cut-out pass, instead using a traditional draw-and-transfer method ultimately to well-angled runners hitting gaps. Quick recycling of ball aided and abetted this approach as did an assured set piece.
Easts looked to play an expansive game from the get-go, went nowhere in multiple phases and resorted to a kick. Uni obliged with a turnover and the Beasties had their first try before three minutes thanks to inside centre Josh Toole running a straight line. Archie King missed a relatively easy and ultimately telling conversion.
A rare Uni foray into Easts territory resulted in a missed Christian Kagiassis penalty, but it was an early indication the tricolours were prepared to chance their arm at the breakdown in the red zone. It ultimately proved their undoing. Despite establishing a 34-point advantage they were happy to transgress, which only provided Uni with points, momentum and hope.
Stuart Dunbar replaced Uni five-eighth Ben Hughes before 10 minutes but he had few opportunities to display his wares as Easts continued on their merry way. They added a penalty to King to make it 8-0 after 11 minutes and then tries to halfback Angus Pulver (15 minutes), fullback Jack Maddocks (19 minutes) and two to prop Clay Brodie (27 minutes and 30 minutes). King converted two including a boomer from the sideline, and Maddocks one.
They are made of sterner stuff and a succession of penalties provided them with a sniff. Discipline prevailed despite Easts’ stout defence and halfback Jake Gordon was able to dive over under the sticks after multiple phases. Kagiassis converted and it was 34-7 six minutes before the break.
Right winger Chris Ingate crossed a couple of minutes later after fine lead-up work by lock Lachlan Swinton and fullback Angus Roberts. Kagiassis nonchalantly potted and it remained 34-14 until the juncture.
Uni definitely had the 20-plus points in them required for the second half. It was just a matter of how much resolve they would show in defence.
Once Dunbar started to run onto the ball the chances came for Uni. Flanker Hugh Frazer was in not long after the resumption following sustained Uni attack and insightful play from rake Folau Fainga’a. Kagiassis goaled, 34-21 Easts and game on. Uni looked positive and Easts nothing like the slick outfit of the first half.
Uni’s set piece improved, the penalties came and so did the inroads. Fullback Angus Roberts was in for the first of his well-deserved double inside 50 minutes, duly converted, and it was 34-28 in a transformed game.
Thomas Carter’s pick-and-drive try at the midpoint of the second half after well-co-ordinated and structured attack put the game at 34-33 in Easts’ favour, but the ascendancy was all with Uni and it showed in their spirited defence that rejected a 17-phase attack.
Roberts scored his second soon after from a lineout and straight, purposeful running from his inside backs. Kagiassis missed the conversion but at 38-34 Uni’s way entering the championship stage all the signs pointed to the Students.
Woollahra has always been a good kicking ground and Uni were able to apply pressure with a territory game as well as ball in hand. It paid dividends when sustained pressure and backline basics resulted in Kagiassis crossing over wide out. He couldn’t complement his determined finish with the conversion but it was Uni 43-34 and Easts shellshocked.
The home side did complete the scoring through a Ratu Tagive try.
Jake Gordon’s ability to assess and control the tempo of a game complements his clearance, kicking game and ability to snipe. Locks Jordan Chapman and Lachlan Swinton are players around which Uni can build a dynasty.
Uni are to be commended for coming from nowhere two weeks in succession, but leaking 82 points to sides unlikely to figure at the very pointy end of the season obviously needs addressing. And if we must kick, pressure should apply.
First grade’s win topped off a useful “Super Saturday” at Woollahra with Uni only dropping second and fourth grade. All in all a productive trip to the leafy harbour suburb, once a prime source of arboreal material for infamous former students and their university holiday moneymaking “landscape gardening” businesses.
But whatever killed Jim Barry’s grapes was residual, with the Woollahra surface was drier than a teetotaller’s wake, an event similar in mood to Easts’ celebrations.
First Grade (Shute Shield)
First Grade: Sydney University 43 (Angus Roberts 2, Chris Ingate, Thomas Carter, Christian Kagiassis, Jake Gordon, Hugh Frazer tries; Kagiassis 4 goals) d Eastern Suburbs 41 (Clay Brodie 2, Angus Pulver, Josh Toole, Ratu Tagive, J Maddocks tries; Archie King 3 goals, pen goal; Maddocks goal) at Jim Barry Vineyard, Woollahra.
boyo
Mark Ella (57)
China's 1st Grade Report
By Bruce "China" Lin
If last week was the Great Escape this week was Ripleys Believe it or Not! University defeated Eastern Suburbs 43-41 after being down at one stage 34-0.
90% of the first half was all Eastern Suburbs as the Bellevue Hill boys were running rampant over the Students. University could not retain possession and Easts were hammering the Students scoring some particularly easy tries. Easts were soon ahead 34-0. Easts supporters were cracking open some of their sponsors product while University were trying to steady their ship.
The Easts supporters along the golf course side of the ground were particularly outspoken revelling in their moment of euphoria. More about these individuals later.
Two quick tries by the Students before the break gave University fans an inkling that there was still plenty of spirit to be unleashed for the second half. Club major sponsor Tony Sukkar who dabbles as an amateur clairvoyant calmly predicted, “if they can score 34 points so can we.” How true these poignant words came to fruition.
The coach’s instructions were obvious that University needed to get their hands on the ball and shift the ball wide. When this was adhered to that young explosive hooker Folau Fainga'a ran amok. With ball in hand the defence was reluctant to tackle him. Folau suckered the defence before passing to breakaway Hugh Frazer who scored near the posts. Winger Kagiassis converted and Easts lead had narrowed to 34-21.
University were building momentum through ball retention and Easts were making mistakes and finding the elevation in intensity difficult to counter. Whenever the ball was recycled and kept alive University’s Folau combining with fullback Angus Roberts were putting Easts defenders through excruciating hatha yoga contortions! Roberts subsequently scored another converted try to narrow their lead to 34-28.
University could sense they could demoralise Easts if the tourniquet was tweaked even more. A raid down the far side saw Kagiassis dash down the flank. The nuggetty winger was collected high near the tryline and a penalty was awarded 5 metres out. Captain Tom Carter took possession and hoodwinked the defence. Instead of channelling out wide or opting for a lineout, Carter took a quick tap to run straight through and score in the corner. Scores were now 34-33 to Easts and there was barely a tummy rumble coming from those earlier mentioned Easts supporters.
University were on a roll and spurned on by their club mates and supporters the Coup d’état was gloriously applied. Two further tries increased the scoreline now favouring University 43-34. Easts did score a converted try 2 minutes from fulltime but a penalty inside the Easts 22 for not releasing the ball led Tom Carter to end the game. Carter tapped the ball and ran straight to the seated University supporters along the touchline. With a smile as big as the bill at the nearby 5 star Catalina restaurant, Carter let out a roar that University could climb back when faced with an insurmountable obstacle . Oh and those exuberant Easts supporters on the far side . You could now hear a senate paper drop from the nearby Rose Bay Public school.
Coach Tim Davidson was pleased but more so with the character shown by his young team. “The second half we took it to the opposition and we fought and showed courage- you just can’t coach that!’
If last week was the Great Escape this week was Ripleys Believe it or Not! University defeated Eastern Suburbs 43-41 after being down at one stage 34-0.
90% of the first half was all Eastern Suburbs as the Bellevue Hill boys were running rampant over the Students. University could not retain possession and Easts were hammering the Students scoring some particularly easy tries. Easts were soon ahead 34-0. Easts supporters were cracking open some of their sponsors product while University were trying to steady their ship.
The Easts supporters along the golf course side of the ground were particularly outspoken revelling in their moment of euphoria. More about these individuals later.
Two quick tries by the Students before the break gave University fans an inkling that there was still plenty of spirit to be unleashed for the second half. Club major sponsor Tony Sukkar who dabbles as an amateur clairvoyant calmly predicted, “if they can score 34 points so can we.” How true these poignant words came to fruition.
The coach’s instructions were obvious that University needed to get their hands on the ball and shift the ball wide. When this was adhered to that young explosive hooker Folau Fainga'a ran amok. With ball in hand the defence was reluctant to tackle him. Folau suckered the defence before passing to breakaway Hugh Frazer who scored near the posts. Winger Kagiassis converted and Easts lead had narrowed to 34-21.
University were building momentum through ball retention and Easts were making mistakes and finding the elevation in intensity difficult to counter. Whenever the ball was recycled and kept alive University’s Folau combining with fullback Angus Roberts were putting Easts defenders through excruciating hatha yoga contortions! Roberts subsequently scored another converted try to narrow their lead to 34-28.
University could sense they could demoralise Easts if the tourniquet was tweaked even more. A raid down the far side saw Kagiassis dash down the flank. The nuggetty winger was collected high near the tryline and a penalty was awarded 5 metres out. Captain Tom Carter took possession and hoodwinked the defence. Instead of channelling out wide or opting for a lineout, Carter took a quick tap to run straight through and score in the corner. Scores were now 34-33 to Easts and there was barely a tummy rumble coming from those earlier mentioned Easts supporters.
University were on a roll and spurned on by their club mates and supporters the Coup d’état was gloriously applied. Two further tries increased the scoreline now favouring University 43-34. Easts did score a converted try 2 minutes from fulltime but a penalty inside the Easts 22 for not releasing the ball led Tom Carter to end the game. Carter tapped the ball and ran straight to the seated University supporters along the touchline. With a smile as big as the bill at the nearby 5 star Catalina restaurant, Carter let out a roar that University could climb back when faced with an insurmountable obstacle . Oh and those exuberant Easts supporters on the far side . You could now hear a senate paper drop from the nearby Rose Bay Public school.
Coach Tim Davidson was pleased but more so with the character shown by his young team. “The second half we took it to the opposition and we fought and showed courage- you just can’t coach that!’
boyo
Mark Ella (57)
Round 17: Western Suburbs vs Sydney Uni
Game times/locations
Saturday 9th July
Concord Oval, Concord
1st Grade - 3.00pm
2nd Grade - 1.25pm
3rd Grade - 12.00pm
4th Grade - 10.45am
St Paul's College Oval, Sydney University
1st Colts - 3.00pm
2nd Colts - 1.35pm
3rd Colts - 12.20pm
Update on Club Championships
Sydney University Women's Rugby
Saturday 9th July
Oatley vs Sydney Uni @ HV Evatt Park, 12pm
Game times/locations
Saturday 9th July
Concord Oval, Concord
1st Grade - 3.00pm
2nd Grade - 1.25pm
3rd Grade - 12.00pm
4th Grade - 10.45am
St Paul's College Oval, Sydney University
1st Colts - 3.00pm
2nd Colts - 1.35pm
3rd Colts - 12.20pm
Update on Club Championships
Sydney University Women's Rugby
Saturday 9th July
Oatley vs Sydney Uni @ HV Evatt Park, 12pm
boyo
Mark Ella (57)
Students clean sweep over West Harbour
By Graham Croker
11th July, 2016
As the retiring club president David Mortimer said in his 2015 annual report, “the ability for all teams to dig deep and lift again to higher levels at the end of a long season is why I remain so proud of our club.
“Another reason I applaud the players and coaches is that every player and coach in the club gained finals experience. That has been one of the hallmarks of the club’s extended stay at the helm of the competition,” he said.
Those words rang true in recent weeks when First Grade came from behind to draw with Warringah and again to claim the points against Eastern Suburbs, and Third Grade Colts snatched the points in a close run affair against the Rats.
First Grade’s trepidations against Warringah and Easts looked like continuing against West Harbour at Concord Oval on Saturday when the hosts started with intent, controlled proceedings for the first 10 minutes and established a 7-nil lead when outside-centre William Wardlaw scooted through a defensive hole and streaked away to score and five-eighth Tayler Adams converted.
But from that point, it was all Sydney University. Two snipes from halfback Jake Gordon resulted in tries, the first to hooker Folau Fainga’a down the right flank and the second to winger Christian Kagiassis, who rewarded the straight running of five-eighth Stuart Dunbar and inside-centre Tom Carter to score down the left flank.
When blindside flanker Hugh Frazer handled twice to score soon after the restart and Kagiassis landed his third conversion, the Students led 21-7 in as many minutes.
They stretched that to 26-7 five minutes before the break with an ensemble try featuring Dunbar, prop Alexander Batho, fullback Angus Roberts, Frazer and Carter, who finished off the draw-and-pass assault. The try was a result of a great defensive read from openside flanker Hamish Dunbar, whose tackle helped to secure a turnover and the counter-attack.
With a bonus point in the bag, the Students continued their ball-in-hand style to post another five tries in the second half, with Kagiassis grabbing another two and outside-centre Jim Stewart, and replacements Fred Burdon and Jack Redden securing five-pointers. Kagiassis also turned on a goal-kicking class to land six conversions, including three from the sideline, to finish with 27 points.
West Harbour scored a late try through tighthead prop Faaope Junior Satiu which Adams converted.
The win leapfrogged Sydney University to the top of the table on 64 points, with Northern Suburbs (63), Southern Districts (63), Randwick (61), Warringah (58) and Manly (57) making up the top six. In a very tight competition, Eastwood are on 56 and Eastern Suburbs on 52 with one round to be played.
Sydney University can wrap up the minor premiership with a win over Parramatta at the campus Football Ground this Saturday before the preliminary finals begin the following weekend. Before then, First Graders might work on kick-off receptions which were embarrassing at times on Saturday.
First Grade (Shute Shield)
First Grade: Sydney University 57 (Christian Kagiassis 3, Folau Fainga'a, Hugh Frazer, Jim Stewart, Tom Carter, Fred Burdon, Jack Redden tries; Christian Kagiassis 6 goals) defeated West Harbour 14 (Faaope Junior Satiu, William Wardlaw tries, Tayler Adams 2 goals) at Concord Oval on Saturday.
By Graham Croker
11th July, 2016
As the retiring club president David Mortimer said in his 2015 annual report, “the ability for all teams to dig deep and lift again to higher levels at the end of a long season is why I remain so proud of our club.
“Another reason I applaud the players and coaches is that every player and coach in the club gained finals experience. That has been one of the hallmarks of the club’s extended stay at the helm of the competition,” he said.
Those words rang true in recent weeks when First Grade came from behind to draw with Warringah and again to claim the points against Eastern Suburbs, and Third Grade Colts snatched the points in a close run affair against the Rats.
First Grade’s trepidations against Warringah and Easts looked like continuing against West Harbour at Concord Oval on Saturday when the hosts started with intent, controlled proceedings for the first 10 minutes and established a 7-nil lead when outside-centre William Wardlaw scooted through a defensive hole and streaked away to score and five-eighth Tayler Adams converted.
But from that point, it was all Sydney University. Two snipes from halfback Jake Gordon resulted in tries, the first to hooker Folau Fainga’a down the right flank and the second to winger Christian Kagiassis, who rewarded the straight running of five-eighth Stuart Dunbar and inside-centre Tom Carter to score down the left flank.
When blindside flanker Hugh Frazer handled twice to score soon after the restart and Kagiassis landed his third conversion, the Students led 21-7 in as many minutes.
With a bonus point in the bag, the Students continued their ball-in-hand style to post another five tries in the second half, with Kagiassis grabbing another two and outside-centre Jim Stewart, and replacements Fred Burdon and Jack Redden securing five-pointers. Kagiassis also turned on a goal-kicking class to land six conversions, including three from the sideline, to finish with 27 points.
West Harbour scored a late try through tighthead prop Faaope Junior Satiu which Adams converted.
The win leapfrogged Sydney University to the top of the table on 64 points, with Northern Suburbs (63), Southern Districts (63), Randwick (61), Warringah (58) and Manly (57) making up the top six. In a very tight competition, Eastwood are on 56 and Eastern Suburbs on 52 with one round to be played.
Sydney University can wrap up the minor premiership with a win over Parramatta at the campus Football Ground this Saturday before the preliminary finals begin the following weekend. Before then, First Graders might work on kick-off receptions which were embarrassing at times on Saturday.
First Grade (Shute Shield)
First Grade: Sydney University 57 (Christian Kagiassis 3, Folau Fainga'a, Hugh Frazer, Jim Stewart, Tom Carter, Fred Burdon, Jack Redden tries; Christian Kagiassis 6 goals) defeated West Harbour 14 (Faaope Junior Satiu, William Wardlaw tries, Tayler Adams 2 goals) at Concord Oval on Saturday.
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