Sydney University Football Club’s Women’s side went down 23-18 to Gordon Gazelles in a closely contested Grand Final for the Jack Scott Cup at Pittwater Rugby Park on Sunday.
The Gazelles had shown their cards when they defeated the Students 15-10 in the last competition round, their first loss in the 10-round season.
Sydney University went on to defeat Hunter Wildfires 15-10 in their Semi-Final, while Gordon accounted for Easts 21-5 to claim a berth in the season decider.
With six senior players – Bridie O’Gorman, Emily Chancellor, Iliseva Batibasaga, Adiana Talakai, Piper Duck and Lori Cramer – away with the Wallaroos to take on the Black Ferns for the Laurie O’Reilly Cup on Saturday, Sydney University still went into the Grand Final as favorites, having claimed the minor premiership with nine wins in the 10-round competition proper.
Meanwhile, Sydney University still has four grades alive in the Sydney Men’s Premier competition. Having claimed minor premierships, 1st and 2nd Grades had a week off in the Preliminary Finals at the weekend.
4th Grade and 3rd Colts earned Grand Final berths with wins in their Semi-Finals at the weekend. 4th Grade will meet Randwick and 3rd Colts will meet Easts in their respective Grand Finals at Coogee Oval on Saturday.
Sydney University 2nd Grade will meet Randwick and 1st Grade will up against Eastwood in Semi-Final clashes at Pittwater Rugby Park on Sunday.
For those coming in late, the 2022 Shute Shield reverted to an eight-team final series for 1st and 2nd Grades and 1st Grade Colts this season, with the Qualifying Finals played on Saturday, 13 August. The Semi-Finals were played on 20 August, the Preliminary Finals on 27 August, and the Grand Final will be played at Leichhardt Oval on 3 September.
The remaining Grade and Colts competitions retained a six-team finals series, with Grand Finals to be held on Saturday, 27 August.
