Sydney University Win Honours in Top of Table Clash
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Saturday, 26 July 2008
NSWRU Media Unit
Sydney University has confirmed itself as premiership favourites with a dominant 42-5 defeat of Gordon today at University Oval.
Leo Afeaki on the charge as Uni emphasise why they're competition favourites.
Leo Afeaki on the charge as Uni emphasise why they're competition favourites. [2008 TNSS - Rd 17]
Sam Norton-Knight looks to evade the defence.
Sam Norton-Knight looks to evade the defence. [2008 TNSS - Rd 17]
Billy Rainima passes.
Billy Rainima passes. [2008 TNSS - Rd 17]
The result has put a dent in Gordon's campaign for a finals berth with Randwick overtaking them to secure second spot after the Galloping Greens defeated Eastwood 39-20 at Coogee Oval.
Bouncing back from last weekend's upset defeat against Eastern Suburbs, Sydney University were intent to secure their position in first spot on the ladder and did so by dominating all facets of the game over the Highlanders.
Sydney University opened the scoring early with a penalty goal converted by Daniel Halangahu. Shortly after, Nathan Trist scored two successive tries for the Students to be securely placed at 16-0.
In a match where Gordon could have snatched first place on the ladder from Sydney University, they first had to overcome the home team's breakdown trio of Pat McCutcheon, Jono Jenkins and Tim Davidson who were in superb form.
Indeed the trio assisted to win the tackle contest. This was evident late in the first half when Uni had again secured good breakdown ball to set Davidson off on a sprint to the corner and to score to give the home team a 21-0 lead at the break.
After the break, Jenkins muscled his way over the corner to put the home team out of reach at 29-0 and when Halangahu threw a neat dummy to fool the Gordon defence, step off his left foot and score under the posts, Sydney University were ahead 37-0 and had sent a loud signal that they are on track to defend their premiership crown.
A try late in the game to Dave Harvey was consolation for the Highlanders. Not to be outdone Sydney University responded shortly before fulltime to with a try to Lachlan Rosengreen.
Sydney University 42 (N Trist, J Jenkins, T Davidson, D Halangahu tries; D Halangahu 2 cons, 2 pens) def Gordon 5 (D Harvey try) at University Oval No.1. Half-time: Sydney Uni 21-0. Referee: Stuart Dickinson.
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS V EASTERN SUBURBS at Forshaw Rugby Park
Craig Debartolo was the standout for Easts in his team's comprehensive, big defeat of the Southern Districts. Debartolo contributed through seven conversions and a penalty goal against the hapless Rebels.
Easts' good recent form continued and they posted nine tries for the match. The win handing them fifth spot and a vital step forward as they look to remove themselves from the log-jam at the middle of the ladder.
Eastern Suburbs 64 (T Azar 3, A Lavin 2, R McKicken, A Tawera, J Puroku, W Brock tries; G Debartolo 7 cons, 1 pen) def Southern Districts 0 at Forshaw Rugby Park. Half-time: Easts 64-0. Referee: Daniel Cheever.
WARRINGAH V PENRITH at Pittwater Rugby Park
Also looking to break out of the crowded middle pack in the Tooheys New Shute Shield ladder, Warringah gave itself a boost in their goal of securing a finals spot with a 69-22 win over Penrith.
An early brace of tries to Willie Bishops got the home team off to a flying start and ahead 14-0 by the 10th minute and when Mark Gerrard crossed midway through the half Warringah looked primed to post a big score.
Despite a try to Patrick Mekuri to put Penrith on the board and trailing 40-5 at half time, Warringah posted a steady flow of points in the second half in a dominant display.
The visitors' points came through opportunism, with Michael Paulo snaring an intercept and further tries forthcoming on the back of Warringah errors.
Warringah 69 (P McCabe 4, W Bishop 3, B Robinson, E Doyle, M Gerrard, B Sheehan tries; B Sheehan 7 cons) def Penrith 22 (S Evans, M Richardson, M Paulo, P Mekuri tries; L Winton con) at Pittwater Rugby Park. Half-time: Warringah 40-5. Referee: Julian Pritchard.
RANDWICK V EASTWOOD at Coogee Oval
Randwick have come from a slender halftime 13-12 deficit to execute a dominant second half of attacking rugby to post a 39-20 win over Eastwood.
The win moves Randwick from third to second place, to leapfrog Gordon, on the Tooheys New Shute Shield ladder.
Randwick 39 (F Fainifo 2, R Nasiganiyavi, S Hoyles, A Freier tries, R Nasiganiyavi 3 cons, 2 pens) Eastwood 20 (H Perrett, J Holmes tries; L Turner 2 cons, 2 pens) at Coogee Oval. Half-time: Eastwood 13-12. Referee: James Leckie.
MANLY V NORTHERN SUBURBS at Manly Oval
Manly have won the honours in their local derby against Norths to keep their slim semi-finals hopes intact with a 22-10 victory.
Despite a 10 minute period midway through the second half when Northern Suburbs stepped up a notch and crossed for their solitary try of the match, it was Manly who dominated territory and possession to be always on the attack.
Manly 22 (A D'Arcy, T Smith tries; A D'Arcy 1 con, 4 pens) def Northern Suburbs 10 (R Dalziel try; T Burnett con; pen) at Manly Oval. Half-time: Manly 9-3. Referee: Nathan Pearce.
WEST HARBOUR V PARRAMATTA at Concord Oval
West Harbour broke a 19-19 halftime deadlock and emerged triumphant in a tightly fought, see-sawing second half to claim fourth spot on the ladder with a 37-32 win over Parramatta.
In a high-scoring match, Rory Sidey crossed for five tries as his team got its campaign back on track after recent heavy defeats.
West Harbour 37 (C Aho 2, D Lloyd, N Riley, R Sidey 5, A Mattin tries; B Martin 3 cons, 1 pen; D Paurini drop goal) def Parramatta 32 (S Podmore, R Herea, B Sefanaia tries; A Mattin 2 cons, 2 pens ) at Concord Oval. Half-time: 19-19. Referee: James Scholtens.