13 August 2007 By Graham Croker
.jpg)
Sydney University’s domination of club rugby union in Sydney continued on Saturday when they wrapped up a fourth successive Club Championship and a third successive Colts Club Championship.
The club also won minor premierships in the Third Grade Henderson Shield competition and in the three Colts competitions – First Grade, Second Grade and Under 19s. Sydney University Colts ended the competition rounds by scoring 274 points to Parramatta’s 12 at Granville Park. First Grade ran in 21 tries in their 133-nil demolition.
The crucial match on Saturday was in the Colin Caird Shield, where Sydney University Second Grade played a must-win fixture to stay in the top six and the finals race.
In a high-scoring encounter at University Oval, winger Ed Jenkins scored three tries in the Students’ 60-41 disposal of Parramatta, leaving the hosts fifth on the competition ladder at the end of the season proper.
The win kept the club on target to contest the finals series in every grade – including Fifths in the Meldrum Cup - and the three Colts grades, having already secured the Tooheys New Shute Shield.
Jenkins’ wing cohort Nick Edwards and halfback Chris Cawte each bagged two tries in Second Grade’s try-fest, while centre Jeremy Atkin, hooker Duncan Hardy and number eight Shaun Mariner also scored tries in the entertaining encounter.
It was followed by another entertaining fixture, in which Sydney University First Grade defeated Parramatta 32-29 in Round 2 of the newly-created Trevor Allen Cup.
Fielding a team of youngsters and retired veterans recalled to the fray, the competitive juices of the Students increased as the game became tougher and more competitive.
Outside-centre Lenny Beckett made two trademark breaks that led to tries before seeking the luxury of the bench, while inside-centre Trevor Walsh reminded everyone just what a strong defender he was – an is. Second-rowers Marc Avery and John Langford soared in the lineout and played the full match; Geoff Mutton, back at number eight, was the best player on the field until replaced mid-way through the second half, and winger Craig Dean has maintained his positional nous despite a long absence on the sidelines.
Hooker Dan Lewinski showed his versatility by playing the second half on the flank, and scoring two tries.
With 28 players from the club involved in the Australian Rugby Championship, it would be an incredible feat if this team took out the Tevor Allen Cup.
Results:
Trevor Allen Cup: Round 2: Sydney University 32 (Dan Lewinski 2, Peter Owens, Laurie Weeks tries; Dan Kelly 3 goals, 2 pen goals) d Parramatta 29 (Dave Alo, Winney Paulo, John Natrada, Clarke Webb tries; Tito Mua 2 goals, Tom Woods goal, pen goal) at University Oval.
Second Grade: Sydney University 60 (Ed Jenkins 3, Nick Edwards 2, Chris Cawte 2, Jeremy Atkin, Duncan Hardy, Shaun Mariner tries; Jeremy Atkin 5 goals) d Parramatta 41 (Ray Alo 2, Tobias Gukibau 2, Campbell Maxwell, Martin Tindall, Clarke Webb tries; Johnny Mafi 2 goals, Dave Coventry goal).
Third Grade: Sydney University 32 (Brian Green 2, Julian James, Dan Kelly tries; Dan Kelly 3 goals, 2 pen goals) d Parramatta 17 (Washington Laban, George Dansey, Doug Vutaga tries; Areta Lama goal). Minor premiers.
Fourth Grade: Parramatta 26 (A. Turake 2, Darren Amituanai, Henry Kamoto tries; Tupou Sukanaivalu 3 goals) d Sydney University 12 (Yasu Takahashi, Robbie Gordon tries; Matt Brecht goal).
Meldrum Cup: Fifth Grade: Sydney University 44 d Seaforth 0.
Colts
First Grade: Sydney University 133 (21 tries) d Parramatta 0.
Second Grade: Sydney University 82 d Parramatta 0.
Under 19s: Sydney University 59 d Parramatta 12.
Women’s Championship: Sydney University 50 d Canterbury 0.