Students home on the bell
A crucial last minute penalty goal from five-eighth Jac Lloyd helped Sydney University to a 38-36 win over Eastern Suburbs in their Round 16 Shute Shield clash at University Oval on Saturday.
In a see-sawing result, where the lead changed four times in the final 20 minutes, Lloyd’s unerring boot proved the difference. In converting Sydney University’s five tries and landing the winning penalty goal he passed 100 points for the season. Easts also scored five tries, with centre Nicholas Jooste converting four and posting a penalty goal.
Sydney University led 14-10 at halftime on the back of tries from winger Eddie Poolman and hooker Tom Horton. Easts points came from an early Jooste penalty goal and a converted try to prop Vuipola Fifita just before the break.
The Students pushed their lead out to 28-10 with two early second half tries from wingers Ronan Leahy and Simon Kennewell.
But the visitors hit back with three converted tries from flanker Archer Gavin, number eight Will Harris and replacement prop Reon Lowery to take a 29-28 lead.
Sydney University slipper, flanker Jack McCalman came to the rescue with a late converted try to give the Students a 35-29 lead. But the visitors weren’t done with and regained the lead 36-35 with a converted Lachlan Bradford try with just minutes on the clock.
Sydney University regained possession from the restart and work their way downfield for seven phases before they were awarded a penalty 25 metres out which Lloyd duly nailed just before the final hooter sounded.
The win kept the defending Shute Shield premiers in contention to make the top six with two rounds remaining. Norths head the ladder on 57 points, with Randwick (57), Eastwood (52), Gordon (51), Hunter Wildfires (50) and Manly (50) making up the six with Sydney University moving into seventh spot on 47 points. They host Eastwood next Saturday and finish off the season proper against Gordon at Chatswood Oval.
Sydney University won the four grade fixtures and three Colts matches on Saturday – their first clean sweep since 2014. Second and Third grades are semi-finals bound, with Fourths in a similar position to First Grade. Colts One are also semi-finals bound.
Other results:
Second Grade: Sydney University 17 (Ciaran Loh, Sepesa Loga-Tarogi, Rob Hedderman tries; Sam Bignold con) defeated Eastern Suburbs 10 (Ben Baker try; Andrew Blackburn con, pen goal).
Third Grade: Sydney University 29 (Charles Murray 2, James Widders-Leece 2, Coby Mar-Lavulo tries; Max Robson con, James Widders-Leece con) defeated Eastern Suburbs 10 (Harry Doyle, Jacob Lineen tries).
Fourth Grade: Sydney University 33 (Sean Hasegawa, Jack Feilen, Jay Spencer, Tom Cutler, Daniel Kustec tries; Harrison Hartnell 4 cons) defeated Eastern Suburbs 7 (Blake Henman try, con).
First Colts: Sydney University 61 (Hugh Bell 2, Nacani Batidravu 2, Arnie Tancred, Daniel Nelson, Olly White, Jacob Sisia, Jack Matthews tries; Joey Fowler 8 cons) defeated Eastern Suburbs 24 (Ben Dufficy 2, William Perkins, Nick Harris tries; Connor McMullen 2 cons).
Second Colts: Sydney University 26 (Ciaran Donoghue 2, Sam Roediger, Darcy Fogarty tries; Bohdi Chand 3 cons) defeated Eastern Suburbs 20).
Third Colts: Sydney University 32 (Ethan Halatokoua 2, Patrick Baldock, Josiah Vatubua tries; Jude Blair 3 cons, 2 pen goals) defeated Eastern Suburbs 25 (Finn Filipek, Angus Wallace, Matt Fahy tries; Sean Dimmock 2 cons, 2 pen goals).
Women’s results – Jack Scott Cup Round 12:
Sydney University Blue defeated West Harbour 54-22 at University Football Ground.
Sydney University Gold defeated Easts 22-18 at Woollahra Oval.
