Graham Croker
Sydney University consolidated their hold on sixth place – and a finals berth – in the Sydney Grade competition with a 38-24 win over ladder leaders Eastwood at T.G. Milner Field on Saturday.
The Students led 9-8 at half-time before running in four second-half tries to secure a vital win and a bonus point. The win relegated Eastwood to second on the ladder.
With three rounds to play, Manly lead the competition on 71 points, with Eastwood (69), Southern Districts (66), Eastern Suburbs (64), Randwick (57) and Sydney University (56) making up the top six.
The Students meet Gordon at Chatswood Oval on Saturday, before hosting Manly at No.1 Oval and rounding out the season proper against Penrith at Nepean Park.
Five-eighth Dan Kelly landed three first-half penalty goals on the back of a strong forward display to keep Sydney University in the hunt on Saturday.
The Students ran in four second-half tries, courtesy of winger Peter Betham, centre Tom Carter, fullback-cum-winger Nathan Trist – off a Jerry Yanuyanutawa around-the-corner pass – and five-eighth Barnes.
The final two tries with were scored with only 14 men on the park after prop Paddy Ryan was sin-binned for tackling offences.
Scoreboard
Sydney Grade competition – Round 18
First Grade: Sydney University 38 (Peter Betham, Tom Carter, Nathan Trist, Berrick Barnes tries; Berrick Barnes 3 goals, pen goal, Dan Kelly 3 pen goals) d Eastwood 24 (Tom Alexander, Lachie Turner tries; Ben Batger goal, 2 pen goals, James Foote pen goal, field goal) at T.G. Milner Field.
Second Grade: Sydney University 51 (Alastair King, Anthony Pohlen, Matt Schwager, Bernard Foley, Clay Brodie, Justin Bosilkovski, Julian James tries; Justin Bosilkovski 5 goals, 2 pen goals) d Eastwood 15 (Pat Shanahan, Chris Dan tries; Mick Snowden goal, pen goal).
Third Grade: Sydney University 39 (2 pen tries, Sam Hosking, Julian James, Wayne Gibson, Chris Chapman tries; Will Runciman 3 goals, pen goal) d Eastwood 5 (J. Vicarne try).
Fourth Grade: Sydney University 15 (Tom Campbell, Willie De Plessis tries; James Metcalf goal, pen goal) d Eastwood 7 (S. Collins try; R. Roby goal).
Colts
First Grade: Sydney University 43 (7 tries) d Eastwood 19.
Second Grade: Sydney University 60 (10 tries) d Eastwood 26.
Third Grade: Sydney University 24 (4 tries) d Eastwood 12.
Sydney Women’s competition
First Grade: Sydney University 90 d Penrith 0.
