Sydney University Football Club’s (SUFC) first grade side ensured that last week’s narrow loss against traditional rivals Eastwood was consigned to the archives as they defeated Parramatta 38-5 at the Merrylands RSL Rugby Park on Saturday.
It was ‘Back to Parramatta Day’ as the much improved men from the West were focused on taking on the more fancied Students before their old boys and supporters.
But this did not run according to Parramatta’s plan as first points were posted by the Students. At the eighth minute, a series of short sharp passes inside the Parramatta quarter saw outside centre James McMahon score the first try. Five eighth Dan Kelly’s conversion saw an early 7-0 lead to University.
A few minutes later, another series of plays near the Parramatta tryline, led by centre Tom Carter and winger Nathan Trist, saw University score a second try by up and coming prop Sam Talakai. Following a series of rucks, a short pass by halfback and Captain Matt Schwager saw a rampaging Talakai receive the ball. In his quest to score, Talakai, like a giant bobcat, smashed every Two Blue jersey before him. The try was unconverted by Kelly but there were clear signs that University were playing an up tempo game with the ball movement being displayed.
Parramatta did not gain any luck when that man with the hot pink boots, who is more outspoken than Derryn Hinch, Waratah Tom Carter, collected a Parramatta rebound inside the University half. Carter motored down the field and passed inside to his support in fullback Angus Roberts who scored the easiest of tries. Kelly kicked the conversion and at 19-0 University was punishing the Two Blues.
The next try only compounded Parramatta’s plight when a series of five metre scrums and penalties were awarded to University. Schwager exploited a loose marking ruck to score University’s fourth and bonus point try. Kelly’s conversion saw the score balloon to 26-0 at the half time break.
The second half started off with that man Carter again, with University running up the blindside. Keeping the ball in play, Carter dived over for a try in the western corner. The try was unconverted by replacement five eight, Daniel Halangahu, but the 31-0 scoreline was favouring the Students.
University’s game plan was cloned by Parramatta when they eventually scored the first try. Camping themselves inside the University quarter the ball was spun to the right. With defence thin on the Students flank, Parramatta was able to touch down. The try was unconverted and University still had a healthy lead of 31-5.
University continued grafting away and to Parramatta’s credit, they stifled the Students attack. However, a deliberate slap down of the ball by the Parramatta fullback saw the referee consign him to the sin bin. This allowed University to demonstrate their deadly rolling maul from a five metre line out.
The ball was taken down and University commenced to inch their way towards the Parramatta try line. Seeing an opportunity to cauliflower his ears, Tom Carter again joined the maul to add extra momentum. The rolling mass saw Carter plant the ball over the tryline for his second try. Halangahu’s conversion saw the final scoreline of 38-5 to the Students.
Sydney University 38 (2 Tom Carter, Sam Talakai, Matt Schwager, James McMahon, Angus Roberts tries; Daniel Kelly 3 cons) d Parramatta 5 (Maile Latukefu try)
Lower Grade Scores
2nd Grade: SUFC 42 def. Parramatta 17
3rd Grade: SUFC 17 def. Parramatta 0
4th Grade: SUFC 48 def. Parramatta 0
Colts 1: SUFC 72 def. Parramatta 0
Grade Draw
Round 12 – 14.07.2012 Sydney University v Eastern Suburbs
Round 13 – 21.07.2012 Northern Suburbs v Sydney University
Round 14 – 28.07.2012 Sydney University v Manly
Round 15a – 04.08.2012 Eastwood v Sydney University
Round 15b – 11.08.2012 BYE
Round 16 – 18.08.2012 Sydney University v Southern Districts
Colts 1 & 2 Draw Only
Round 12 – 14.07.2012 Eastern Suburbs v Sydney University
Round 13 – 21.07.2012 Sydney University v Northern Suburbs
Round 14 – 28.07.2012 Manly v Sydney University
Round 15 – 04.08.2012 Sydney University v Eastwood
Round 16 – 11.08.2012 Southern Districts v Sydney University
