Sydney University’s clean sweep of Gordon on Saturday has kept all teams in finals contention and closed the gap in the Club Championship race to 30 points with two competition rounds of the Shute Shield to be played.
The Students posted six tries to four in their 44-26 win over the Highlanders in their Round 16 Shute Shield fixture at Sydney University No.1 Oval to give the club wins in the four grades and three Colts fixtures.
The clean sweep moved Sydney University to 2550 points on the Club Championship ladder which is headed by Eastwood on 2580.
But the Students will need maximum points against fourth-placed Warringah at Pittwater Rugby Park this Saturday and against sixth-placed Northern Suburbs at No.1 Oval on July 25 to haul in Eastwood, who are away to Randwick this Saturday before hosting Warringah in the final round.
Eastwood head the Shute Shield ladder on 69 points, with Manly (67), Southern Districts (56), Warringah (56), Randwick (48) and Sydney University (48) making up the top six.
Sydney University Seconds are finishing the Colin Caird Shield competition with a wet sail, having posted 186 points in their past three outings to move to outright fourth on the competition ladder.
After accounting for West Harbour 62-21, they trounced Southern Districts 72-22 before rolling Gordon 52-14 on Saturday on the back of four tries from number eight Sam Quinn.
Sydney University Third Grade sit second on the Henderson Shield ladder behind Eastwood, while Fourths head the Henderson Cup competition on 67 points, ahead of Eastwood (60) with a minor premiership in their sights.
In the Colts ranks, Sydney University Firsts are second on the ladder that is headed by Randwick; Second Grade head the ladder three points clear of Northern Suburbs; and Third Grade hold down second place behind Randwick.
Meanwhile, Sydney University head the First Division women’s competition in a closely-fought run to the semi-finals.
The Students are on 35 points, with seven wins and two losses, ahead of Warringah (34), Parramatta (33) and Blacktown (22) with four rounds of the competition proper remaining.
Sydney University meet Warringah at Pittwater Rugby Park this Saturday and Rockdale at C.A. Redmond Field on July 25, before hosting Campbelltown at St John’s College Oval on August 1 and Blacktown on August 8.
Scoreboard
NSW Men’s Premier Rugby Union competition – Round 16
First Grade – Shute Shield: Sydney University 44 (Mark O’Dare 2, Matthew Narracott, Tom Carter, Jim Stewart, Tom Kingston tries; Stuart Dunbar 3 goals, 2 pen goals, Byron Hodge goal) d Gordon 26 (John Dempsey 2, Patrick Curtin, Tui Tuisavaii tries; William Shirvington 3 goals) at Sydney University No.1 Oval on Saturday. Points: Sydney University 5, Gordon 1.
Second Grade – Colin Caird Shield: Sydney University 52 (Sam Quinn 4, Hugh Frazer, Richard Draper, Ben Cannon tries; Byron Hodge 7 goals, pen goal) d Gordon 14 (Cameron Thorburn, Beau Hape tries; Beau Hape 2 goals). Points: Sydney University 5, Gordon 0.
Third Grade – J.R. Henderson Shield: Sydney University 31 (Rhys Griffiths 3, George Hudd, John Mokofisi tries; Ben Cannon 3 goals) d Gordon 14 (James Hackney, Andrew Boyce tries; James Hackney 2 goals). Points: Sydney University 5, Gordon 0.
Fourth Grade – J.R. Henderson Cup: Sydney University 83 (Tyne Homes 2, Byron Wicken 2, Cameron Mason 2, David Pohlen, Chris O’Donnell, Edward L’Estrange, Tevita Halaifonua, Dylan Vieira, Mesake Tagituimua, Nicholas McLaughlin tries; Tom Wilson 5 goals, Chris O’Donnell 4 goals) d Gordon 0. Points: Sydney University 5, Gordon 0.
Colts
First Grade – W. McMahon Memorial Shield: Sydney University 38 (Christian Yassmin 4, Jack Redden, Christian Kagiassis tries; Christian Kagiassis 4 goals) d Gordon 10 (Nathan Kelly, Benjamin Butler tries) at Chatswood Oval. Points: Sydney University 5, Gordon 0.
Second Grade – Shell Trophy: Sydney University 49 (George Lehmann 2, James Margan, Conor O’Dougherty, Lachlan Argiris, Dylan Oldfield, Banjo Travers tries; Charles Friend 7 goals) d Gordon 3 (Thomas Skelly pen goal). Points: Sydney University 5, Gordon 0.
Third Grade: Bill Simpson Shield: Sydney University 41 (Francis Brown, Jack Blair, Peter Fenwicke, Banjo Travers, Sean Cross, Patrick Muller, Thomas McFayden tries; Sam Renton 3 goals) d Gordon 13 (). Points: Sydney University 5, Gordon 0.
Sydney Women’s Premier Rugby Union competition – Round 9
Sydney University 52 d Parramatta B 0 at St John’s College Oval on Saturday.
