New South Wales Rugby

Students on track to defend Tooheys New Shute Shield

» Back to News Listing

Saturday, 13 September 2008
NSWRU Media Unit

Ed Jenkins finds space for Sydney University.

Ed Jenkins finds space for Sydney University. [2008 Tooheys New Shute Shield First Preliminary Final - Sydney University v Eastern Suburbs at Coogee Oval]

Matt Toomua is caught by Jono Jenkins.

Matt Toomua is caught by Jono Jenkins. [2008 Tooheys New Shute Shield First Preliminary Final - Sydney University v Eastern Suburbs at Coogee Oval]

The Students were dominant for almost the entire game, running out 26-10 victors over Eastern Suburbs in the First Preliminary Final at Coogee Oval.

Daniel Halangahu scored 16 points and expertly guided University around the park with his kicking in general play helping the Students to their fourth Shute Shield decider in as many years.

Aside from a ten minute period prior to half-time when Easts scored all their points, the defending champions were in complete control, scoring two tries to one in the 16-point victory.

Despite Eastern Suburbs playing with the advantage of a gusting breeze in the first half, it was the minor premiers who started the match on top and immediately applied early pressure.

Halangahu posted first points with a penalty in the eighth minute, however despite spending the opening quarter of the match camped in the Eastern Suburbs' half, the Students could not breach the defence.

Gavin Debartolo failed with a chance to even up the match in the 22nd minute, then five minutes later University missed an opportunity to extend their lead with a knock on over the try line with five points begging.

Soon after Halangahu landed a penalty to double the Students' lead, however almost instantly momentum shifted to the Beasts.

From the restart University knocked on, and two phases after the ensuing scrum Matt McGann crossed for the first try of the game.

Debartolo's conversion put Easts in front by one, and a penalty in the 36th minute took Easts to a 10-6 advantage.

The exciting fullback looked to extend the half-time lead with a 50m drop goal attempt just before the bell, however it drifted just wide leaving the Beasts with a four-point advantage at the break.

The pendulum swung back to Sydney University as soon as the whistle was blown to start the second stanza, with Easts kicking out on the full.

Then in the fifth minute, Lloyd Jones was ruled to have tackled University skipper Tim Davidson without the ball in a tryscoring position, with a penalty try awarded to the Students.

Halangahu had a chance to extend the lead in the 52nd minute with a penalty, however despite his miss the minor premiers didn't have to wait long before Dean Mumm strode over under the posts.

Halangahu's conversion gave the Students a 10-point buffer with 20 minutes remaining.

Easts replacement prop Heamani Lavaka was shown the yellow card for a high tackle in the 70th minute, with Halangahu kicking another penalty to extend the lead to 23-10.

Shortly after a neck injury to University No.7 Jono Jenkins stopped the match for an extended period, putting the flanker in serious doubt for the Grand Final.

Halangahu kicked his fourth penalty in the 76th minute to take the margin outside two converted tries, sealing the match once and for all for the Students.

Sydney University will now meet the winner of tomorrow's Second Preliminary Final between Gordon and Randwick in next week's Tooheys New Shute Shield Grand Final at Concord Oval. Tickets are available at www.nswrugby.com.au .

Randwick were the first club to book a presence on Grand Final Day with a 37-15 victory over Northern Suburbs in 4th Grade, Gordon overpowered Easts 31-12 in 3rd Grade while Norths upset minor premiers Easts in 2nd Grade 14-11.

Sydney University's Colts ensured the club was undefeated today, winning through to their Grand Finals in all grades. The Students defeated West Harbour in Colts I (72-29), while Colts II (46-8) and Colts III (26-14) both overcame Gordon.

Sydney University 26 (Penalty Try, Dean Mumm tries; Daniel Halangahu 4 pens, 2 cons) d Eastern Suburbs 10 (Matt McGann try; Gavin Debartolo con, pen) at Coogee Oval. Half-time: Eastern Suburbs 10-6. Referee: James Leckie.

By the clock
8th - Daniel Halangahu penalty goal. Sydney University 3-0.
22nd - Gavin Debartolo missed penalty goal.
30th - Daniel Halangahu penalty goal. Sydney University 6-0.
32nd - Matt McGann try; Gavin Debartolo conversion. Eastern Suburbs 7-6.
36th - Gavin Debartolo penalty goal. Eastern Suburbs 10-6.
40th - Gavin Debartolo missed drop goal.
45th - Sydney University penalty try; Daniel Halangahu conversion. Sydney University 13-10.
52nd - Daniel Halangahu missed penalty goal.
58th - Dean Mumm try; Daniel Halangahu conversion. Sydney University 20-10.
69th - Heamani Levaka (Eastern Suburbs) yellow card for a high tackle.
70th - Daniel Halangahu penalty goal. Sydney University 23-10.
74th - Daniel Halangahu penalty goal. Sydney University 26-10.
76th - Tim McGann (Eastern Suburbs) yellow card for punching.

2008 NSW PREMIERSHIP FINALS SERIES WEEK TWO
Saturday 13 September - First Preliminary Finals
Coogee Oval
Tooheys New Shute Shield (1st Grade) - Sydney University 26 d Eastern Suburbs 10
Colin Caird Shield (2nd Grade) - Northern Suburbs 14 d Eastern Suburbs 11
Henderson Shield (3rd Grade) - Gordon 31 Eastern Suburbs 12
Henderson Cup (4th Grade) - Randwick 37 Northern Suburbs 15

Forshaw Rugby Park, Sylvania
1st Colts - Sydney University 72 d West Harbour 29
2nd Colts - Sydney University 46 d Gordon 8
3rd Colts - Sydney University 26 d Gordon 14

Sunday 14 September - Second Preliminary Finals
Pittwater Rugby Park, Narrabeen
3:00pm Tooheys New Shute Shield (1st Grade) - Gordon v Randwick
1:20pm Colin Caird Shield (2nd Grade) - Eastwood v Gordon
11:50am Henderson Shield (3rd Grade) - Manly v Randwick
10:20am Henderson Cup (4th Grade) - Sydney University v Gordon

Woollahra Oval
3:00pm 1st Colts - Eastern Suburbs v Gordon
1:20pm 2nd Colts - Southern Districts v Eastern Suburbs
11:50am 3rd Colts - Randwick v Manly

• » Back to News Listing