Sydney University produced seven wins across all grades in last Saturday’s Super Saturday at Merrylands RSL Rugby Park against Parramatta. An important boost in the Club Championship was achieved by the efforts from all the University teams.
Although on paper there appeared a try fest of gastronomical proportions in First Grade’s 64-26 victory, at various junctures the Two Blues showed some real inventiveness and dogged spirit in their four tries.
The game was a tight affair for the first quarter of the game until Hugo Dessens scored through a dart from the back of the scrum. Thereafter, the rapid recycling of the Students caused further tries scored by young backrower Sam Quinn, second rower Tom Boidin and that flying example for English grammar, winger Henry Clunies- Ross. University were ahead at halftime 26 -0 with a bonus point already snookered away.
But you would be classed as a brave man to write off those big men from the west. Coach Nobby Malone was impressing upon his side at the break to be wary of the swirling wind. Loose passes could be capitalised by Parramatta and change the complexion of the game in an instant. The revamped Two Blues canteen was also a little gem to sample during the break. There was a particularly roaring trade in the noodle and lamb shank hearty soup. A hearty winter accompaniment which would ignite the taste buds of Heston, Jamie or Marco Pierre White.
The wounded Parramatta came out for the second half with a Churchillian spirit by scoring two quick converted tries to narrow the score line to 26-14. University’s young guns responded with their own try after fullback Stuart Dunbar and winger James Dargaville combined with outside centre Jim Stewart to send the young strapping centre over for an excellent try. Stewart’s try was the inspiration for further tries by both teams as the ball was thrown to all corners of the ground.
In his best performance to date, inside centre James McMahon scored another try and set up one for University’s flanker David Hickey. McMahon ran towards the Parramatta try line inside the 22 metre area. McMahon later gave a delicate offload to Hickey who was running hard. Reminiscent of a Looney Tunes Tassie Devil, Hickey smashed, bumped and shredded the Parramatta defence for a gutsy five pointer.
With the countdown to the finals series, University will be focused on trying to achieve another Club Championship and no doubt a tough finals campaign.
Next week against Gordon, University host their annual Ladies Day where University Oval will be a sea of fun, fashion and fillies!