Sydney University Football Club will be hoping to end a five-year Shute Shield drought when they take on Warringah for the 2018 title at North Sydney Oval this Saturday.
Sydney University earnt a grand final berth with a convincing 41-3 win over Manly in their semi-final at Sydney University Football Ground on Saturday, while Warringah defeated Northern Suburbs 25-22 in the other semi-final.
Having finished the competition proper with the minor premiership, Sydney University pipped Eastern Suburbs 21-13 in their preliminary final before Saturday’s semi-final effort.
Sydney University broke a 32-year Shute Shield drought when they claimed the 2001 title. They then claimed six titles from 2005 to 2010 and another two in 2012-13, but have not held the Shute Shield since then.
SUFC’s Second Grade missed out on a grand final berth when they were held to a 29-all draw by Eastern Suburbs in their semi-final on Saturday. Having finished a point behind Easts on the competition ladder, the Students just failed to make the big one. Easts will meet Eastwood in the grand final.
The Third Grade grand final will be between Eastern Suburbs and Northern Suburbs, while Northern Suburbs will meet Warringah in the Fourth Grade season decider.
Sydney University Colts dipped out on grand final berths – for the first time in two decades – with Randwick to meet Gordon in the Colts 1 grand final at Concord Oval on Sunday. Randwick and Gordon will also meet in the Colts 2 decider, while Gordon will take on Eastern Suburbs in the Colts 3 grand final.
Meanwhile, Sydney University’s women’s rugby side will meet Parramatta in a semi-final of the Jack Scott Cup on Saturday. Warringah and Campbelltown will fight out the other semi-final.
Scoreboard
Sydney Premier Men’s competition – Qualifying Finals
First Grade – Shute Shield: Sydney University 41 (Lachlan Swinton, Brad Wilkin, Stuart Dunbar, James Kane, Guy Porter, Jack Sherratt tries; Janes Kane 4 goals, pen goal) defeated Manly 3 (Nicholas Holton pen goal) at Sydney University Football Ground on Saturday.
Second Grade – Colin Caird Shield: Sydney University 29 (Benjamin Carolin 2, Sam Renton 2 tries; William Wennerbom 3 goals, pen goal) drew with Eastern Suburbs 29 (Daniel England 2, Sam Stitcher, Daniel Howes tries; William Maddocks 3 goals, pen goal) at Sydney University Football Ground on Saturday on Saturday.
Third Grade – Henderson Shield: Northern Suburbs 42 (Mitchell Magrath, Josh Smith, Dominic Naylor, Joes Williams, Daniel Hiep, Bill Freeman tries, Josh Smith 6 goals) defeatedSydney University 20 (Patrick O’Doherty, Lachlan Argiris, Harrison Williams, Connor Farnell tries) at North Sydney Oval on Saturday.
Fourth Grade – Henderson Cup: Warringah 18 (Richard Munchow, David Hart, James Muir tries; Samuel Evans pen goal) defeated Sydney University 5 (Joshua Schwager try) at Sydney University Football Ground on Saturday.
Colts
First Grade – W. McMahon Shield: Gordon 24 (William Bremner, Milan Basson, Angus Margin tries; Mathew Dainton 3 goals, pen goal) defeated Sydney University 13 (Mitieli Tuinakauvanda, Edward Renton tries; Jack Murray pen goal) at Chatswood Oval on Sunday.
Second Grade – Shell Trophy: Gordon 31 (Conor Fahey, William Mitchell, Oliver Zannino, Oliver Clarke tries; Leo Bosch 4 goals, pen goal) defeated Sydney University 11 (Delahoya Manu try; Max Robson 2 pen goals) at Chatswood Oval on Sunday.
Third Grade – Bill Simpson Trophy: Eastern Suburbs 20 (Jack Cornish, Julian Boscoe tries; Jake Styles 2 goals, 2 pen goals) defeated Sydney University 17 (Michel Himmer, Joshua Hardie, Alex Simson tries; Joshua Hardie goal) at Chatswood on Saturday.