A Henry Hudson penalty goal after the final siren gave Eastern Suburbs at 13-10 win over Sydney University in their Round 3 Shute Shield match at Woollahra Oval on Saturday.
The Easts five-eighth piloted the 35m penalty over in boggy conditions after referee Rohan Hoffman found fault with the Students well after the siren had sounded.
It was the second time in the match the Students had let the hosts off the hook. The first being in the shadows of halftime when Easts capitalised on a lone first half chance. It came from winger Anton Lavin, who collected a grubber kick and sent inside-centre Tom Azar over. Five-eighth Henry Hudson converted for a 7-3 lead at the break.
Sydney University’s points came from a lone Jock Merriman penalty goal in the first minute, which was not much reward from a mountain of possession and position and botched tries – flanker Jarrod Saffy was beheld up over the line and outside-centre Michael Hodge spilt the ball over the line.
The Students opened the second half as they had the first, putting early points on the board, this time from a try to winger Greg Jeloudev which was converted by Merriman for a 10-7 lead.
In an entertaining display in difficult conditions, both sides searched for a match-winner. Hodge was held up over the line by Lavin, before Hudson levelled the scored with a penalty goal.
The match went down to the wire before Hudson was given another opportunity after the bell and the Fat Lady sang.
It was the hosts’ first win of the season, while the defending premiers are now one from three.
In the lower grades, Sydney University triumphed 7-3 in Seconds, drew 6-all in Thirds and won 25-nil in Fourths. The Colts matches were washed out and rescheduled for Tuesfay night.
Sydney University will host Warringah at No.1 Oval next Saturday.
