Sydney University opened their 2012 Shute Shield campaign with a clinical 49-19 win over West Harbour at Sydney University No.1 Oval on Saturday.
The eight try to three win completed a successful afternoon for the Students, who won the four senior grades and three Colts matches to grab an early lead in the Club Championship.
With 25 players involved in the Super 15 competition, SUFC unveiled yet another crop of youngsters into the grade ranks, including several former Colts making their First Grade debuts.
Despite the healthy scoreline in the host’s favour, it was West Harbour who opened proceedings when fullback Oleni Ngungutau hit the end of a backline foray and scored next to the posts off the first play of the game.
The Students soon replied, dominating possession and position, resulting in a penalty goal and a converted try from second-rower Liam Winton. Having established a 10-7 lead, they were never headed and went to the break with a 32-7 lead.
The try of the match was a cracker. Working off a lineout win on the Pirates quarter-line, centre Michael Hodge jinked his way through the first-line defence and swerved past three cover-defenders to reach out and score.
Other notable efforts on the day were two tries to prop Jeremy Tilse, the successful return of halfback Matt Schwager after off-season surgery, and the return of five-eighth Dan Kelly, who scored his 450th grade point for the club with his three conversions from eight attempts.
Scoreboard
Sydney Grade competition – Round 1
First Grade – Shute Shield: Sydney University 49 (Jeremy Tilse 2, Sam Roberson, Liam Winton, Ollie Atkins, Trent Dyer, Angus Roberts, Michael Hodge tries, Dan Kelly 3 goals, pen goal) d West Harbour 19 (Ben Murray, Shaun Treweek, Oleni Ngungutau tries; Shaun Treweek 2 goals) at Sydney University No.1 Oval.
Second Grade – Colin Caird Shield: Sydney University 29 (Peter van der Merwe 2, Stehano Hunt, David Dillon tries; David Fong 2 goals, pen goal, David Dillon goal) d West Harbour 10 (Curtis van der Heyder, Maica Toga tries).
Third Grade – Henderson Shield: Sydney University 21 (Hugo Dessens, Edward Mullany, Mark O’Dare tries; Jack Macklin 3 goals) d West Harbour 12 (Elias Sarkis 2 tries; Elias Sarkis goal).
Fourth Grade – Henderson Cup: Sydney University 29 (Cameron Lawrence 2, Ben Mercer, Sion Kaivelata tries; Cameron Lawrence 3 goals, pen goal) d West Harbour 10 (Mafi Fifita, Peri Maika tries).
Colts
First Grade: Sydney University 34 (4 tries) d West Harbour 27 (4 tries) at Concord Oval.
Second Grade: Sydney University 38 (6 tries) d West Harbour 7.
Third Grade: Sydney University 30 d West Harbour 22.
