Second Grade (Colin Caird Shield)
By Ray Hudd (Coach)
It was a good match in terms of the contest and played in a good spirit. Both sides entered into an arm wrestle from the first whistle.
The score was 24 points all with 10 minutes to go with Uni attacking the Warringah line. As fate would have it the Rats managed to score an 95m intercept try, Uni still had time to launch a final attacking campaign but were unable to capitalize.
Warringah scrambled well in defence and were able to hold on.
Man of the Match – Calum Buckling
Full time score Warringah 31 def. Sydney Uni 24
Third Grade (Henderson Shield)
Full time score Warringah 24 def. Sydney Uni 20
Fourth Grade (Henderson Cup)
Full time score Sydney Uni 38 def. Warringah 10
Fifth Grade
Full time score Sydney Uni 24 def. Warringah 5
First Colts (W. McMahon Memorial Shield)
By Robert Taylor (Colts Head Coach)
Peter Fenwicke put in another impressive performance to lead from the front, in the contact area he made 15 carries, 13 tackles and hit 14 attacking rucks, he also made 7 passes and scored a try from 22 metres out. Dan Poletto controlled the game with ice cold temperament and accuracy. Tim Clements put up some very impressive numbers making 4 dominant carries, scored 2 tries, 1 try assist pass, 3 line breaks and 2 tackle busts and 100% tackle completion.
Warringah were a hard working team and it took some time to break down their defence and even though we scored nine tries, none were easy. The score didn’t reflect the quality of the opposition’s defence and work ethic, they were able to score three tries as well. It will be touch game when we play them in round 15.
The ultimate difference I thought was the decision making in attack, continuity and speed of play, being reflected in the seven tries we scored in the 2nd half, compared to only two in the 1st half.
Other notable performances were from; centre pairing James Armstong and Guy Porter who were constant threats, James also winning two ruck turnovers that resulted in two tries for us. Miti Tuinakauvadra keeps growing each week and made a great linebreak down the middle of the field to set up Guy Porter for a long range try.
Full time score Sydney Uni 60 def Warringah 22
Second Colts (Shell Trophy)
By Aidan Moore (Player)
Coming off the back of a dominant win against Penrith, the 2nd Colts were out to back up this performance against the formidable foe of Warringah. Leading into the match, defense was a key sticking point. This was evident in the game with the 2nd Colts team only letting in two ‘at the death’ tries after being a man down from a yellow card. Notable defensive efforts for the 2nd Colts team came from, captain Conor Grindal and Josh Sheridan.
Throughout the first half Warringah seemed unable to pierce the University defensive line and decided to put more boot to ball in the second half. The 2nd Colts were able to convert these kicks into breakaway tries. A notable effort came from winger Will Terry, picking up two meat pies, and unlucky not to get a third.
From an attacking point of view the University backline were in full cohesion off the back of a dominant scrum. The backline was led by the cunning Ed Renton, who was in blistering form, creating many opportunities for the boys on his outside by splintering the Warringah defense. Congratulations go to our boys from Wesley College, Conor Grindal and Connor Farnell for making the SUFC team of the week.
Full time score Sydney Uni 37 def. Warringah 10
Third Colts (Bill Simpson Shield)
By Gabriel Enright (Coach)
Super Saturday didn’t disappoint with Warringah fielding the toughest opposition the Sydney University 3rd Colts had faced this season. The team started poorly and coughed up possession many times to a capable Rats outfit who swooped on the mistakes and battered the left edge to score two early tries and take commanding lead by 10 points to nil.
After steadying the ship toward the end of the first half the young Students hit back with Said Halbouni powering down the right wing and slipping a deft in-field grubber for the inside support to pounce on over the line. At halftime the score was only 10-5 in Warringah’s favour, it could have easily been a lot more.
With a few structural changes to the line up the young students knew they had to hit back straight away and be the first to score at all costs. Allowing Warringah to strike first and get the wind back into their sails would make the challenge infinitely more difficult.
Kick-off receipts have never been our strong suit and as the Rats drop punt towered into the sky Sydney Malifamuscled his way underneath it, claimed it and was able to consolidate possession after a pummeling from the opposition. Animated outbursts of shear relief was all that could be heard from the coaching booth. “Jesus, Mary and Joseph, they caught one”
A few nifty phases of play would nudge the team up over halfway where Oliver Young sold the whole of the Northern Beaches a playbook dummy from the scrum-base and slipped through the defense only to be caught five yards from the line – a resurgent 3rd Colts forward pack arrived in numbers and barged over the Warringah line to be awarded a Penalty Try. Warringah’s desperation also earnt their flanker a Yellow Card – He would be sorely missed as the Students piled on 29 points to close the game out by 34 points to 15.
Harry Potter in the mid field was the “Best on Ground” bending the line on every run, tackling like a freight train and scoring a powerful close range try to seal the match – 3 Points. Starting at scrumhalf and finishing off with a massive contribution in the back-row Jack MacKenzie-Wood secured 2 points while Sydney Malifa was unstoppable in the second half for the point.
The effort would see Sydney University 3rd Colts hit the Top of the Table after seven rounds with a great opportunity to lead the pack home if the HOT streak of bonus point wins continues.
Full time score Sydney Uni 34 def. Warringah 15