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.

The majority of SUFC tourists were young Colts players, with a handful of seasoned SUFC veterans from a bygone era. They included: Marc Avery, Ben Daly, Marc L’Huillier, David Haydon, Jason Reilly & Lachlan McCutcheon.
The match started with SUFC opening the scoring after 5 mins from a driving maul off a lineout. David Haydon touching down at the back of the maul.

After the opening try, the contest between the two teams turn into a good arm wrestle, as MURFC were able to control their own possession well and take some yards off SUFC’s defence through well executed pick and drives.
The skills and experience of the SUFC team often showed through at the set-piece and breakdown, with the team securing quality possession to often break the Melbourne defensive line off first phase play.

Excellent pace and skills were show by the SUFC backs Tom English, Callum Fryer, Chris Chapman and Alex Rokobaro, who played an expansive game from good field position. Rokobaro was rewarded with a try for his efforts, along with a try to Angus Sinclair, who controlled the game well from 5/8.
MURFC try scorers were No.15 Ryan Carmichael and No.2 Christian Brown.
Notable injuries were suffered by a number of the ‘older’ players; Ben Daly ‘doing’ his shoulder after only 7 minutes of play. Trevor ‘Axe’ Walsh tackling his opposite number’s knee with the side of his head and suffering a black eye. Marc Avery suffering physical and mental anguish from playing the full 80mins.

Melbourne RFC were to prove very good hosts in the post-match hospitality department by putting on a well attended Centenary Dinner at University House. All attendees were able to enjoy a meal and a drink with their teammates, as well as the panel discussion by rugby legends such as Brendan Nasser, Geoff Vaughan and Peter Crittle. Post-function socialising went well into Saturday night and Sunday morning.