Eastwood dominated possession and position to post a last gasp 29-26 win over Sydney University in their Round 17 Shute Shield clash at University Football Ground on Saturday.
The result left Sydney University, the defending premiers, two points out of the top six with one round of the competition proper to play – and that will be against sixth-placed Gordon at Chatswood Oval next Saturday.
Eastwood’s big pack set the standard from the opening minutes with a seven-phase build-up resulting in winger Lachlan Shelley scoring off a well-placed kick from five-eighth Tane Edmed, who landed the conversion for a 7-nil lead.
The visitors continued to dominate possession for the next 15 minutes before a big run from Sydney University inside centre Eddy Poolman put his team in an attacking zone. The Students put some phases together before five-eight Jac Lloyd chipped for winger Simon Kennewell to score in the corner for a 7-5 scoreline.
With three minutes of the first stanza remaining the Eastwood pack held sway in a crucial scrum and came up with a penalty which Edmed landed for a 10-5 lead at the break.
The visitors continued to control possession and territory early in the second half and hooker Ed Craig came up with the first of his three tries off rolling mauls.
The Students came up with a similar play five minutes later with reserve hooker Tom Horton crossing the line. Lloyd’s conversion closed the gap to 15-12.
Craig’s second converted try gave Eastwood a 22-12 lead before Sydney University outside centre Henry Clunies-Ross came up with two converted tries, the first an 80-metre effort off an intercept, to give the Students a 26-22 lead.
With the clock ticking down, Eastwood once again controlled possession and produced a 30-metre rolling maul for Craig to come up with number three and a 29-26 result.
Norths head the competition on 62 points going into the final round, with Randwick (62), Eastwood (57), Hunter Wildfires (55), Manly (55) and Gordon (51) making up the top six. Sydney University and the Two Blues are on 49 points.
Other results:
Second Grade: Eastwood 33 (Alex Pappalardo, Satisi Likiafu, Eric Tauilili, Josh Hickey, Daniel Ala tries; Matt Minogue 4 cons) defeated Sydney University 14 (Samuel Cantwell, Sam Bignold tries; Sam Bignold 2 cons).
Third Grade: Eastwood 24 (Thomas Alexander, Jacob Bamford, Mark Quadrio, Bradley Meehan tries; Cam Cale con, Harr Snook con) defeated Sydney University 19 (Michael Baldock, Max Robson, Hamish Mac Smith tries; Max Robson 2 cons).
Fourth Grade: Sydney University 45 (Jack Feilen 2, Michael Pratomo 2, Harrison Johansen, Liam Postlethwaite tries; Harrison Johansen 5 cons) defeated Eastwood 12 (Luke Grima, Matthew Collins tries; Thomas Ragell cons).
Colts 1: Sydney University 35 (Nacani Batidravu 2, Harry Davis, Daniel Nelson, Julien Caillol tries; Joey Fowler 5 cons) defeated Eastwood 33 (Oniti Finau, Angus Griffin, William Kennedy, Finn Watkins tries; Riley Hemsworth 3 cons).
Colts 2: Sydney University 33 (Sam Roediger 3, Will Constable, Ciaran Donoghue tries; Bodhi Chand 4 cons) defeated Eastwood 5 (Jamie Donovan try).
Colts 3: Sydney University 32 (Blayne Heyward, Hugh McArthur, Harrison Hartnell, Josiah Vatubua tries; Jude Blair 3 cons, 2 pen goals) defeated Eastwood 19 (Tutu Sorovi 2, Jamie Bruce tries; Harley Wilson 2 cons).
Women’s results: Round 14
Jack Scott Cup
Sydney University Gold 34 defeated Warringah 10 at St John’s College Oval.
Easts 26 defeated Sydney University Blue 15 at Woollahra Oval.
