Tim Davidson – making his final regular season appearance at Uni Oval No.1 before retirement – congratulates hat-trick hero Greg Jeloudev – Photo: seiserphotography.com

by NSWRU Media –

The Students have made it 12 wins on the trot, with the reigning champions bulldozing their way to a 48-6 win over third-placed Southern Districts.

Despite the absence of a number of key players through state call-ups, Sydney University ran in eight tries to maintain its impressive unbeaten run and cement second place on the ladder, with the finals series beckoning.

Elsewhere, with only two rounds of the regular season remaining, there was everything to play for as a number of teams battled for finals contention. In one of the shocks of the round, fifth-placed West Harbour went down to the ninth-placed Warringah Rats side, whilst eighth-placed Northern Suburbs fought hard to defeat seventh-placed Randwick and Eastern Suburbs were outdone by Parramatta.  In the remaining two games, the Marlins proved too strong for Penrith and Eastwood earned a bonus-point win over Gordon.

Sydney University v Southern Districts

The Students have bulldozed their way into Grand Final contention, flattening Southern Districts in an eight-try display of running rugby, including a hat-trick to winger Greg Jeloudev.  The result leaves Souths only one point above fourth-placed Manly on the Shute Shield ladder.

Although it was the Rebels who got off the mark first, converting two penalties in the first 10 minutes, the Students hit back, making quick metres downfield before a huge dummy from flyhalf Stefano Hunt brought the score back to 5-6 just minutes later.

The Students’ backline showed its class, exploiting a number of gaps in the Rebels defence and quickly converting possession into points. NSW pair Tom Kingston and Tom Carter showed their prowess, making several breaks in the first period, resulting in Tim Davidson and Tom English crossing the line.

Although Souths made several attempts to break the Students’ defensive line, too many mistakes cost them at the breakdown and the Students were quick to hit back in their counterattack, with Jeloudev scoring the first of his three to put the score out to 22-6 and earn Uni its four-try bonus point. Another quick try from the Students only minutes from half-time extended the score to 29-6 going into the break.

Despite spending close to 25 minutes of the second period within reach of the Students’ try line, a heroic defensive performance from the home side held them at bay.

With only ten minutes remaining, the Students regained possession, ending the match and the contest with three last-minute tries, pushing the lead 48 to 6.

Sydney University 48 (Greg Jeloudev 3, Stefano Hunt, Tim Davidson, Tom English, James Willan, Nathan Trist tries; Nick Phipps 2 cons, Byron Hodge con, Nathan Trist con) d Southern Districts 6 (Rohan Saifoloi 2 pens) at University Oval 1. Referee Andrew Lees

Norths’ Scott Daruda tries to evade the attentions of Randwick hooker Nio Halangahu
Photo: seiserphotography.com

Randwick v Northern Suburbs

Northern Suburbs have shocked Randwick at home, crossing the line four times, including a double from centre Bill Meakes, for a bonus-point win.  Holding Randwick out for most of the match, Norths now sit only one point behind the Wicks on the ladder, with both sides within striking distance of finals contention.

Northern Suburbs 32 (Bill Meakes 2, Elih Baillie, Scott Daruda tries; Scott Daruda 3 cons, 2 pens) d Randwick 14 (Charlie Wakim 2 tries; Cayden Matehaere 2 cons) at Coogee Oval. Referee Damien Mitchelmore.

*******

West Harbour v Warringah

Despite making his debut for the Pirates, Wallaby James O’Connor couldn’t stop the fighting Rats.  Although he scored two tries in the opening quarter, O’Connor’s influence wasn’t enough to bag victory, with the Pirates’ tally of five tries outdone by the hard-working Rats, who bettered that by one and added 14 points from the boot of flyhalf Dave Harvey to take the final score to 44-33.

Warringah 44 (Michael Adams, Edward Doyle, Josh Holmes, Mark Porpiglia, Sam Ward tries; Dave Harvey 5 cons, 3 pens) d West Harbour 33 (James O’Connor 2, Tito Mua, David Osofua, Shaun Treweek tries; Jack Debreczeni 4 cons) at Concord Oval. Referee James Leckie

*******

Gordon v Eastwood

Table-topping Eastwood have maintained their dominance, defeating second-bottom Gordon by 70 to 28. There was some consolation for the Highlanders though, who crossed four times to secure a losing bonus point.

Eastwood 70 (Cam Mitchell 3, Nick Batger 2, Tom Hill 2,Ben Batger, Hugh Roach, James Stannard tries; Ben Batger 4 cons, 2 pens, Tom Hill 3 cons)  d Gordon 28 (Matt McDougall 2, Hamish McGilvray, Nicholas Walker tries; Henry Carmichael 4 cons)  at Chatswood Oval. Referee Edward Martin.

Two Blues’ flyer Damien Fakafanua leaves a flailing Beast in his wake
Photo: seiserphotography.com

Parramatta v Eastern Suburbs

A penalty and conversion was all that separated these sides, with the Two Blues’ narrow victory helping them close the gap between themselves and ninth-placed Warringah.  Both sides crossed the line three times, with all Easts’ five pointers coming from their captain Pauliasi Taumoepeau, who secured a hat-trick in an outstanding performance.  But the Beasties’ lack of discipline was punished by the accurate boot of flyhalf Tom Woods, who helped his underdog side bag a win over the Beasties, who hang on to their sixth spot nevertheless.

Parramatta 24 (Adam Coleman, Mosese Tavola, Tom Woods tries; Tom Woods 3 cons, pen) d Eastern Suburbs 19 (Pauliasi Taumoepeau 3 tries; Henry Hudson 2cons) at Merrylands RSL Rugby Park. Referee Angus Gardner.

*******

Manly v Penrith

The Marlins proved too strong for the bottom-placed Emus, bagging 11 tries and a four-try bonus point in a match full of running rugby.  Making his first appearance for Manly, Wallaby and Waratahs star Michael Hooper crossed the line three times, with his brother Richard adding two tries of his own.  Despite being outdone on the scoreboard, the Emus never lost their fight, crossing the line twice to make it 71 to 12.

Manly 71 (Michael Hooper 3, Malietoa Hingano 2, Richard Hooper 2, Jacob Woodhouse 2, Adam D’Arcy, Jordy Reid tries; Adam D’Arcy 8 cons) d Penrith 12 (Leo Burgess, Ethan Robinson-Mate tries; Simione Moelasi con) at Manly Oval. Referee Ian Smith