Graham Croker
With most winter sports now under way, Sydney University teams suffered some highs and lows in the opening rounds of the various competitions.
The high was provided by the Australian Football club, who opened their Premier Division season with a 152-point flogging of an under-manned Balmain Dockers at Drummoyne Oval.
Mark Egan kicked five goals in Sydney University’s 30.25 (205) to 8.5 (53) win over the Dockers.
The Students also won their Under 18 clash 17.9 (111) to 4.1 (25) over the Dockers,, while Division One succumbed to Manly-Warringah, Division Two accounted for Manly-Warringah, Division Three lost to Penrith and Division Four lost to Manly-Warringah.
The low came at Sydney University No.1 Oval, where Randwick triumphed 37-7 in the opening round of the Sydney Grade rugby union competition.
The visitors scored three tries to one against the Shute Shield premiers, who also gave up the Sir Roden Cutler Shield (played on home ground supremacy) which they had held for 43 games over almost five seasons.
Sydney University won Second Grade 51-33, but lost Third Grade 23-7 and Fourth Grade 10-5. The Students won their three Colts matches, with Firsts triumphing 29-22, Seconds 48-5 and Thirds 40-0.
Other highs came from the men’s and women’s teams in the National Water Polo League. Trent Franklin scored seven goals in Sydney University’s 17-11 win over Hunter Hurricanes at the Peter Montgomery Pool, while Keesja Gofers matched that effort in the Sydney University women’s team’s 17-12 win over the Hurricanes.
Sydney University Rugby League Club opened the 2010 Tertiary Cup season on a winning note with a 38-24 win over Canberra University in their Division One clash and a 20-12 win in Division Two.
Sydney University Women’s Hockey Club opened their season with a 7-1 win over Easts in the South-East Premier League, but the men’s team were beaten 5-4 in their third round match against Randwick.
The men’s Second Grade had a comfortable 6-2 result against St George-Randwick.
