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Unbeaten run continues
By Graham Croker
When Sydney University's First XV clocked off with a 65-12 win over Parramatta at a gloomy No.1 Oval on Saturday afternoon, they kept intact a winning streak for all of the club's teams - Colts and grade - for three competition rounds.
The Club inflicted a clean-sweep against Eastwood in Round 11, backed that up with a clean-sweep against Penrith in Round 12, and continued the run on Saturday. Sydney University's women's First XV also helped the clean sheet with a 47-12 win over Parramatta.
For the second week in a row in the Shute Shield, the University ran in 11 tries, but in drier conditions, the backs were able to display their wares - and they didn't hold back.
The match featured many sweeping backline movements - at considerable pace - as the Students controlled possession and position for long periods. And with referee Andrew Lees keeping the game moving, there were plenty of tired bodies when the final whistle sounded.
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Trevor Woodman farewells SUFC
SUFC and Australian rugby will be without the expert services of forwards coach Trevor Woodman, who will be returning England to taking up a coaching position with the Wasps club.
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Students outclass Penrith
By Graham Croker
Despite the muddy conditions, Sydney University still managed to run in 11 tries in accounting for Penrith 67-nil in their Round 12 Shute Shield fixture at University No.1 Oval on Saturday.
The Students backed up five first-half tries with six more in the second, with fullback Nathan Trist finishing with 17 points, including three tries.
But it was the pack who led the way in the heavy conditions, with hooker Ben Roberts grabbing two of the seven tries scored by the forwards.
The three lower grades were postponed because of the weather, while Sydney University won the two Colts fixtures.
Meanwhile, Phil Waugh's roller-coaster representative season continued on Saturday night when he came off the bench in Australia's 34-12 win over Italy in the Second Test, played at Etihard Stadium in Melbourne.
During the previous month, Waugh had captained the Barbarians against England at Twickenham and Australia at Sydney Football Stadium, before turning out for Sydney University in their Round 11 win over Eastwood.
And, Sydney University ended up with four players at the World Junior (Under 20) Championships played in Japan.
With more injuries striking the Australian camp, winger Peter Betham was called up last week to join Sydney University team-mate second-rower David McDuling, hooker Nathan Charles and fullback Clinton Sills in the side.
New Zealand won the World Championship with a 44-28 win over England in the final, while Australia finished fourth after South Africa triumphed 32-5 in the play-off for third.
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Sydney University v Penrith at University Oval No.1
Sydney University v Penrith at University Oval No.1
Sydney University have easily accounted for Penrith with a 67-0 victory at University Oval No.1.
The Students backed up five first half tries with six more in the second, fullback Nathan Trist leading the way with 17 points including three tries.
As expected, the talented Uni pack led the way in the heavy conditions with the forwards contributing seven tries, including two to hooker Ben Roberts.
It was the biggest margin of the 2009 season, eclipsing Gordon’s 66-0 win over Parramatta in round one.
Sydney University 67 (Nathan Trist 3, Ben Roberts 2, Pat Ryan, Hugh Hawkins, Dave Dennis, Pat McCutcheon, Nick Edwards, Mitch Inman; Daniel Halangahu 5 cons, Nathan Trist con) d Penrith 0 at University Oval No.1. Referee: Simon Moore (QLD). HT: Sydney University 38-0.
Second, Third, Fourth grades: Postponed due to weather.
Colts results;
First Grade: Bye
Second Grade: Sydney University 116 (18 tries) d Penrith 12.
Third Grade: Sydney University 64 10 tries) d Penrith 5.
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Colts Games v Penrith
Colts Games v Penrith
Colts 2 1:35pm
Colts 3 12:20pm
Nepean Rugby Park, Andrews Road, Penrith
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Students cut down Woodies
Daniel Halangahu’s unerring boot helped Sydney University to a 29-17 win over Eastwood in their Round 11 Shute Shield match at T.G. Milner Field on Saturday and with it second place on the competition ladder.
The Sydney University five-eighth potted seven goals (two conversions and five penalties) from as many attempts to keep the visitors ahead of the hosts throughout a very physical encounter.
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Keith Steele vale
The requiem mass for Keith will be held on Tuesday 16 June 10am at St Mary’s Catholic Church, 264 Miller Street, North Sydney.
The wake will be held at the Royal Sydney Golf Club, Kent Road, Rose Bay.
The club was saddened to learn of the sudden death of SUFC supporter and former second grade coach Keith Steele.
Keith coached at the club from 1977 to 1980 and passed away from a heart attack on Sunday.
A Girdlers Scholar and a law graduate of Cambridge University (where he also gained a double Blue in cricket and rugby), he became a partner of Freehills in 1980 where he practised extensively in the area of commercial dispute resolution and litigation. As the Sydney chairman and senior partner of the Freehills (1997–2001) he played a lead role in the national integration of Freehills in 2000. From 2005 to 2008 he was the head of Litigation nationally at Freehills and in that capacity led a group of 65 partners, 230 lawyers and 150 other staff and sat on the firm’s Executive.
Our very deepest sympathy and support to Keith's wife Margaret, and his three children.
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Uni victorious in Centenary match
On Saturday 6th June Melbourne University Rugby Football Club hosted SUFC on the Main Oval of the Melbourne campus, where SUFC defeated MURFC 27-10.
This match celebrated 100 years since the foundation of the MURFC, and the first match played between SUFC & MURFC back in July 1909.
SUFC took the honours in a 5 tries to 2 victory that was played in a spirit that reflected the historic occasion.
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SUFC U16 State Championship Victory
by Tony McDonald
The Sydney University U16 2009 State Championships campaign ended in a heart-thumping victory over perennial rivals Gordon. The final score of 21-17 paid tribute to Uni’s relentless defence against a barrage of Gordon incursions in the dying minutes of both the 1st and 2nd halves.
The tournament kicked off in Saturday’s mud and slush, accounting for a gallant, but out muscled Central West 37-0. The team’s second hit out was against a beefier West Harbour side, with the boy’s superior speed out wide capitalising on some solid forwards work around the rucks. The final score of 43-5 gave us a handy cushion for what was to come – the need to win the pool game v Gordon, with a loss potentially derailing our campaign early.
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Universities celebrate centenary match
Graham Croker
The black and blue and the blue and gold - aka Melbourne University Rugby Football Club and Sydney University Football Club - will do battle at the University of Melbourne on June 6 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first match between the two universities in 1909.
The match - to be played between two President's XVs on University Main Oval - is also part of the Melbourne University club's centenary celebrations.
The 1909 match, won 15-3 by Sydney University, was the second trip for the New South Welshmen that year. Earlier in 1909 Sydney University was the first football club of any code to visit New Zealand, playing Otago University in Dunedin. Otago had visited Sydney University in 1908.
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Students win mud-fight
Graham Croker
Sydney University toppled competition front-runners Manly 20-14 in atrocious conditions in their Round 10 Shute Shield clash at University No.1 Oval on Saturday.
The win lifted the Students to fourth on the competition ladder and kept intact their home-ground winning run which now stands at 35 matches stretching back to Round 8 in 2005. The Sir Roden Cutler Shield has been in Sydney University's keeping for that period of time as well.
Although each side scored two tries, the hosts dominated territorially after the first 15 minutes and might have scored at least two more tries with better execution. But credit goes to a dogged Manly defence that had conceded just over 12 points a match until Saturday.
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Sydney University v Manly at University Oval No.1
Sydney University have handed Manly their second defeat of the season with a 20-14 victory at University Oval No.1.
The Students and Marlins scored two tries apiece, however two penalty goals to HSBC Waratahs flyhalf Daniel Halangahu proved the difference.
The Students opened the scoring nine minutes in when Halangahu kicked a penalty goal, however Manly continued to dominate possession and territory.
The Marlins were unable to convert field position into points and just before half-time the home team made them pay, Halangahu weighting a perfect grubber behind the line for Mitch Inman to cross under the posts.
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Weeks wins rookie award
Graham Croker
Tighthead prop Laurie Weeks, who anchored the scrum in Sydney University's past two Sydney Shute Shield rugby union premierships, has been named Australian Super 14 Rookie of the Year.
Weeks, who was signed up by the Queensland Reds for the 2009 season after being the dominant prop in the Sydney competition for two seasons, had a solid introduction to Super 14 football, packing down against some of the best scrummagers in the world.
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Australian U20s run on at No 1 Oval
The Australian U20 side has been named with some big players, including Rob Horne, Kurtley Beale and the exciting Western Force back, James O'Connor all making selection. The team is representing Australia in the IRB U20 Championships in four cities across Japan between June 5 and June 21.
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Waratahs to the rescue Round 9
Graham Croker
Sydney University's NSW representatives Tom Carter and Daniel Halangahu helped put the club's Shute Shield defence back on track when they engineered a 28-8 win over Eastern Suburbs at Sydney University No.1 Oval on Saturday.
After suffering back-to-back losses to Randwick and Gordon, the Students were languishing in seventh place on the Shute Shield ladder after eight rounds, a nadir not felt previously by any of the present players.
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Waugh, Mumm and Burgess make Wallabies Squad
Sydney University's Phil Waugh, Dean Mumm and Luke Burgess were announced as part of the Wallabies Squad for the 2009 Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series on the 21st May.
Mumm was selected after an extremely strong season with the Waratahs, in which he started in all 13 matches, appearing as a lock on 11 occasions, and twice on the blindside flank.
Burgess also had an extremely successful Super 14 season starting as the Waratah's halfback and scoring the first try of his Super Rugby career from an intercept during New South Wales' historic 27-22 win over the Blues at Eden Park.
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From blue & gold to green & gold
Sydney University continue to be well represented in the elite programs, with hooker Nathan Charles and second rower David McDuling both being selected in the Australian under 20s side set to compete in the Junior World Championship held in Japan in June.
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Milestones for University trio
By Graham Croker Three of Sydney University Football Club's NSW Waratah representatives will pass milestones during the three-match Super 14 tour of South Africa.
NSW captain and flanker Phil Waugh became the Waratahs' most capped player last weekend against the Cheetahs when he racked up his 112th provincial cap, including 108 Super 12/14 caps, the most by any player.
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Italian Charity Work
BY Robert O'Reilly
Sydney University Football Club have struck up an unlikely partnership with a charity organisation based in the distant Southern Italian village of Grumento Nova.
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Supporting the team
Sydney University Football Club’s Director of Rugby Greg Mumm and Colts Director Nick Ryan delivered a final 2 hour coaching session to the Paririewood High School Rugby Union team, before they departed for their Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament, last Friday.
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Students under lights
Chasing a fifth consecutive Shute Shield title, Sydney University will meet Northern Suburbs in a crucial round six Sydney Grade rugby union match under lights at the University's No.1 Oval on Friday night.
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A chip off the old block
Sydney Uni Football Club’s (SUFC) Sam Carter, son of former Wallaby David Carter, has stepped up from the Colts program to be part of the winning first Grade side.
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1999 Renion Update: Friday 1 May
The 1999 Season Reunion Event is moving ahead with a catered reception on the balcony of the Grandstand. Interested players and supporters who were around the club during the late 1990’s are more than welcome to attend and relive the memories from 10 years ago.
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SUFC takes out SU Sports Awards
Last night at the Annual Sydney Uni Sports Awards held in The Great Hall, SUFC was rewarded for its efforts over the past year. Special recognition went to Phil Waugh sharing Sportsman of the Year Award with swimmer Matt Jaukovic. SUFC was awarded Premier Club of the Year. Damien Hill, Trevor Woodman & Anthony Eddy were named Premier Coach(es) of The Year.
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