Sydney University took hold of third spot on the Tertiary Cup Rugby League First Division ladder with a 30-12 win over Cumberland in their Round 10 clash at Ollie Webb Reserve on Saturday.
After a sluggish first half, when they only completed seven of 14 sets and lost a player to the sin bin, the Students went to the break with a 10-8 lead.
But they hit their straps in the second half, running in another four tries, with Adam Sarkis bagging two and Steve Tziotis, Gideon Mzembe, Tom McCarthy and Brendon Lee also finding the line. Lee also added three conversions.
Mzembe, Sarkis, Okenelu Pasi and Scott Bunch led the onslaught, with Tziotis and Tom McCarthy scoring excellent tries. With an improved attitude and better ball control, the Lions are becoming potent from anywhere on the ground.
The Kobe Jones Man of the Match points went to Tom McCarthy (3), Gideon Mzembe (2) and Sione Toli (1).
Sydney Trains head the First Division ladder on 24 points, with UTS Tigers (23), Sydney University (18) and Norwest Polecats (16) making up the top four.
Sydney University’s Second Division side travelled to Canberra on Saturday and lost 24 -6 to ANU at ANU North Oval.
Sydney University trailed 12-6 at halftime and were competitive until the late in the match when a defensive error allowed ANU to skip away to a 12-point lead and then finish off with a late try.
The Lions unearthed some new talent in Diego Tripodi, Kent Straker and Joseph Khoury, who all tried hard to bridge the gap before half-time. Another new player, Dwayne Tetley, moved to lock and showed some encouraging signs, along with Priira Zachary in the centres.
Myles Fowler was a late addition and starred in his first game back after injury in round one, while Brad Roach and Grant Sciberras set the standard in defence. Kurt Lewis bagged the Lions try.
The Players’ Player points went to Myles Fowler (3), Kurt Lewis (2) and Jamison Walker (1).
The Second Division ladder is headed by UWS Ducks on 19 points, with ANZ Grizzlies (19), Sydney University (17) and Sydney Trains (17) making up the top four.
Sydney University will travel to Canberra this Saturday to take on the Australian Defence Force Academy at Addison Oval. Second Division will kick off at 1.15pm, with First Division scheduled for a 3pm start.
Scoreboard
NSW Tertiary competition – Round 10
First Division: Sydney University 30 (Adam Sarkis 2, Steve Tziotis, Gideon Mzembe, Tom McCarthy, Brendon Lee tries; Brendon Lee 3 goals) d Cumberland College 12.
Second Division: ANU 24 (Benney, Bourke, Chapman, Kerrison, Nicholson tries; Dave Turner 2 goals) d Sydney University6 (Kurt Lewis try; Kingi Ngatai goal).
