When Fabian Goodall scored for Eastwood in the 78th minute of his side’s round three clash against Sydney Uni in Mudgee, even Uni star Tim Clements thought the game was all over. 

A few minutes later though, Clements and his teammates were down the other end of the park, celebrating the fullback’s injury time try and Sydney Uni’s remarkable last minute victory. 

“We tried not to drop our heads but one look at the scoreboard and one look at the clock and it was hard not to,” Clements told Rugby News. 

“I certainly thought that it was over (after Goodall’s try) but luckily we got one last shot and we were able to make the most of it.”

“That’s the way we like to play. To throw the ball around, particularly when our backs are up against the wall and see what comes of it. 

“If we stay patient and don’t make mistakes, with any luck we’ll find a way through and that’s fortunately what happened at the end on Saturday.”

Clements has been consistently one of the Students best since making his Shute Shield debut as a 20-year old in 2018.

In the early rounds of this season though, he’s taken his game to a new level and leads the competition in metres gained, clean breaks and defenders beaten. 

But while most of the players in the Sydney Uni backline around him have earned professional rugby contacts in recent years, Clements has been luckless. 

He’s now arguably one of, if not the most talented non contracted player in Australian club rugby.  

“I’m playing behind a pretty handy pack and I’ve got some pretty handy players around me so that helps, but I do think I’ve been making good decisions in a lot of my involvements so far this season,” the 23-year old said humbly. 

“It’s frustrating to not get an opportunity, but at the end of the day, playing in the Shute Shield which in my opinion is the best rugby competition in Australia, it’s a massive privilege. 

“I’m trying not to take for granted playing in this competition and playing in this Sydney Uni side and if I can put together some half decent performances, then hopefully I’ll get a tap on the shoulder one day.”

While Clements’ first priority is to see Sydney Uni return to the top of the Shute Shield competition this year on the back of a disappointing 2020 season, he remains rightfully ambitious. 

“The goal is still to play the highest level of footy that I can, I’ve still got that desire and I don’t think I’m too old. At 23, I still think I’ve got a lot of k’s left in the legs. 

“I’d love to play Super Rugby, absolutely. It’s the toughest competition in the world and I’d love to get the opportunity to test myself in it.”

But first Clements is focussed on the Shute Shield season ahead, one he thinks is somehow even tighter again than in previous years 

“After round one, a lot of people were commenting on how divided the comp was and how it was almost going to be a two tiered competition but a few weeks later it’s really started to even out. 

“There is genuinely six or seven teams, possibly more even, that will be fighting for those top spots. You can’t take anyone lightly this year.”

“That game on Saturday was really tough. If we’re playing anyone in a grand final later in the year then it’s probably Eastwood I’d say based on what I’ve seen so far. 

“It’s a very long season though and there is a lot of rugby to be played between now and then.”