Sydney University were outgunned by their Broadway neighbours UTS Tigers in both grades of the NSW Tertiary Cup competition played at Blackmore Oval on Saturday.
Sydney University’s Division I side went down 31-24 to last year’s grand finalists in a hard-fought affair, while the Division II side succumbed 52-12 in their worst performance of the season.
Liam Coe bagged a pair of tries in the Division I encounter, with Lasalo Matapule, Kingston Nicholson and Thomas McCarthy also getting over the stripe.
The Lions forced the result into the last minute with UTS kicking a field goal to seal the victory.
Forwards Junior Tuapo and Scott Bunch set the platform for a strong first half from the Lions but several defensive lapses allowed UTS to skip to a 20-point lead 10 minutes into the second half.
But the Lions stormed back with three late tries, but missed conversion proved costly.
Matapule and Jordan Sio made solid returns to the park and Coe turned in his strongest performance this season. They were well supported by Colin Tafeuni and Graham Harris.
The Players’ Player points went to Junior Tuapo (3), Colin Tafeuni (2) and Liam Coe (1).
Sydney Trains head the First Division competition on 31 points, with a congested group in pursuit, including UTS Tigers (28), Sydney University (23), Cumberland Beavers (22) and Norwest Polecats and ADFA both on 19.
Sydney University will meet Norwest Polecats at Kellyville Park this Saturday; host Cumberland Beavers at Henson Park on August 2; travel to Canberra to tackle the Australian Defence Force Academy at Addison Oval on August 9, take on UTS Tigers at Blackmore Oval on August 16, and round out the season proper by hosting Sydney Trains at St John’s College Oval on August 23.
Sydney University’s Division II side were down 24-nil at half-time as UTS cruised away with the match. Kent Straker and Marcus McCarthy scored tries for the Students. No Players’ Player points were awarded for the game.
Despite their big loss, Sydney University still hold down fourth place on the Second Division ladder which is headed by UWS Ducks on 26 points. ANU Grizzlies sit second on 25, followed by Sydney Trains (24), Sydney University (22), Norwest Polecats (19), UTS Tigers (18) and ADFA (10).
