Sydney University Lions came up trumps in both divisions, for the first time this season, when they took on Australian Catholic University in Round 3 NSW Tertiary Rugby League clashes at Marrickville Oval on Saturday.
The Lions ran in eight tries to win the Division One match 46-14, while the Division Two side ran in six tries on the way to a 30-24 result.
Michael Ambados picked up the man-of-the-match points in Division One, while Connor Karagiannis collected the Division Two points.
It was a lively start to the Division One clash with aggressive defence by the Lions forwards lead by Scott Bunch and Michael Ambados setting the tone for a torrid afternoon of footy for ACU. The Lions took full advantage of the early onslaught when Kingi Ngatai, with a great read in defence, intercepted a pass to race 60m to score the opening try and take the lead 6-0 in the 7th minute.
It was the great defensive effort by the team that was most pleasing forcing ACU into countless errors allowing the Lions to capitalise on good field position and dominate the game.
Ruaan Du Preeze had a great day with the boot kicking seven from eight, including three conversions from the sideline.
Michael Ambados, Adam Vrahnos and Du Preeze were among the standout performers. Coach Brian Greige was content with the performance and said the side will be working on ruck defence as well as edge defence and adding a few more set plays.
In Division Two the Lions faced a committed ACU team with both teams looking for their first win of the season.
The scoreline doesn’t indicate the control the Lions had for much of the game with ACU’s tries mainly coming from kicks, which was a pleasing sign that the Lions’ ruck control had significantly improved from the previous week.
The Lions showed a great deal of maturity and patience executing some early kicks and holding a good defensive line for a good portion of the game.
Kingston Nicholson and Adam Harber had great games in their return to the park, injecting some experience throughout the game and some damage in attack. Halves David Turner and Daniel Rowe remained committed and composed throughout the game with an effective kicking game that helped significantly in setting the tone of the Lions play.
Coach Grant Sciberras was happy with second half performance and is hoping the team can take that form into next week’s game.
Round 4, on April 23, will see Sydney University Lions take on Tafe Western Sydney Polcats at Kellyville Park, with First Division kicking off at 4pm and Second Division starting at 2.30pm.
Scoreboard
NSW Tertiary Cup competition – Round 3
Division 1: Sydney University 46 (Kingi Ngatai 2, Tom McCarthy, Jake Vrahnos, Adam Vrahnos, Anthony Jury, Myler Fowler, Jake Dudley tries; Ruann Du Preeze 7 goals) defeated ACU 24.
Division 2: Sydney University 30 (Kazuki Fukushige 2, Terrence Rameka, Daniel Rowe, Adam Harber, Jamieson Walker tries; David Turner 3 goals) defeated ACU 24.
