Levi Dodd is congratulated by his team mates after scoring for The Students
The pre game address by University Club President David Mortimer AO to not be overawed by playing an international side ran to plan as a young squad of Students defeated the hard men of Samoa 35 -12 last Friday at the Sydney Football Stadium. The University Waratah players watching from the sidelines, would have been impressed to see their young club mates apply themselves during the match.
A prominent example was the effort by the big red haired University loose head prop, Dylan Evans. Formerly of Newcastle, Evans put University on the scoreboard with a try after eleven minutes.
The lead up to Evans' try saw University attacking inside the five metre zone. University recycled the ball through some punishing rucking near the Samoan line. Coming from an angle off the ruck, Evans received a short ball and smashed his way over the Samoan line with swag of bodies dragged along in his wake. The big chap with the head modelled on Swedish tough guy actor Dolph Lundgren, bobbed up with a wide grin and copping backslaps from his teammates on debut for the Students.
Fullback Angus Roberts converted the try and University were ahead 7-0. Roberts kicked a further penalty for a Samoan offside and University were ahead 10-0 halfway through the first half.
University’s next try was a gem scored by another debutant David Fong. University set a scrum five metres from the Samoan line. The ball was quickly rucked for former West harbour half back David Fong to collect. Fong, like all half backs born with cheek and cunning, saw loose marking to the left of the ruck and darted over the line to score his first points for Australia’s oldest rugby club.
Fong’s performance was raising eyebrows amongst the crowd with a performance as dynamic as another athlete of Chinese heritage who has recently been turning heads, the electric Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks. A Roberts’ conversion saw University have a handy lead of 17-0 going into the break.
A prominent example was the effort by the big red haired University loose head prop, Dylan Evans. Formerly of Newcastle, Evans put University on the scoreboard with a try after eleven minutes.
The lead up to Evans' try saw University attacking inside the five metre zone. University recycled the ball through some punishing rucking near the Samoan line. Coming from an angle off the ruck, Evans received a short ball and smashed his way over the Samoan line with swag of bodies dragged along in his wake. The big chap with the head modelled on Swedish tough guy actor Dolph Lundgren, bobbed up with a wide grin and copping backslaps from his teammates on debut for the Students.
Fullback Angus Roberts converted the try and University were ahead 7-0. Roberts kicked a further penalty for a Samoan offside and University were ahead 10-0 halfway through the first half.
University’s next try was a gem scored by another debutant David Fong. University set a scrum five metres from the Samoan line. The ball was quickly rucked for former West harbour half back David Fong to collect. Fong, like all half backs born with cheek and cunning, saw loose marking to the left of the ruck and darted over the line to score his first points for Australia’s oldest rugby club.
Fong’s performance was raising eyebrows amongst the crowd with a performance as dynamic as another athlete of Chinese heritage who has recently been turning heads, the electric Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks. A Roberts’ conversion saw University have a handy lead of 17-0 going into the break.
Mark O'Dare on debut for The Students using his trademark athleticism
The first five minutes of the second half saw Samoa dominate and they were the first to score by their big winger who chipped and chased to score in the Randwick end. The try was converted but University were still ahead 17-7.
University were not about to coast for the rest of the game. Returning backrower Anthony Pohlen scored from a trademark University rolling maul while another try was scored by a toe through ball by the elusive centre Levi Dodd. Samoa scored a consolation try but some conversions and penalties shared by Roberts and the goal kicking second rower Byron Hodge, saw the final score reflect 35-12 in favour of University.
Coach Louden was quietly beaming later in the University dressing room and was impressed with the young squad which he is moulding for the 2012 Shute Shield competition. “They really pushed hard today and their attitude was exceptional,” said Louden. "This trial gave us a great opportunity to trial new players and new combinations, and I am happy with the performance of everyone in the squad."
The notion of attitude was endorsed by returning Captain James McMahon, “We pushed attitude all week at training and I was happy with how the boys performed tonight.”
The final words were best summed up by David Fong on his Club debut, “It’s great fun playing for this Club and seeing the involvement of everyone in tonight's game made the win even more special.”
University were not about to coast for the rest of the game. Returning backrower Anthony Pohlen scored from a trademark University rolling maul while another try was scored by a toe through ball by the elusive centre Levi Dodd. Samoa scored a consolation try but some conversions and penalties shared by Roberts and the goal kicking second rower Byron Hodge, saw the final score reflect 35-12 in favour of University.
Coach Louden was quietly beaming later in the University dressing room and was impressed with the young squad which he is moulding for the 2012 Shute Shield competition. “They really pushed hard today and their attitude was exceptional,” said Louden. "This trial gave us a great opportunity to trial new players and new combinations, and I am happy with the performance of everyone in the squad."
The notion of attitude was endorsed by returning Captain James McMahon, “We pushed attitude all week at training and I was happy with how the boys performed tonight.”
The final words were best summed up by David Fong on his Club debut, “It’s great fun playing for this Club and seeing the involvement of everyone in tonight's game made the win even more special.”
The Waratahs also put on a dominant performance, with a 52-0 victory over Tonga. Student Tom Kingston bagged a try for his efforts on the wing.
