In the finale to the 2015 season, the future of the University club our colts, were showcased in a trifecta against traditional foes Randwick.
First grade led by the cool headed skipper number eight Jack McCalman, emerged victors with a scoreline of 29-26 against a fast finishing Randwick in the first grade colts grand final.
The young students were dominant in the first half with sweeping ball movements being constructed by the slick halves Nick Duffy and Connor O’Shea. University’s continuity saw first points registered after a five metre lineout. The ball was brought down and channelled to the east ern side. A series of pick and drives were back pedalling the Randwick defenders and exposed their blind side for an easy try.
University continued their disciplined attack and soon after again spread the ball wide. When right winger Christian Yassmin received the ball the winger commenced to scorch down the flank. With white smoke trailing behind him, the strapping Lebanese Lightning drew defenders and passed to his support inside Josh Schwager who galloped over.
Not content with 10 points, University loaded up again from a five metre scrum. With a superior pack the Students were driving the Randwick eight backwards causing Junee’s second favourite son next to Laurie Daley Nick Duffy, scamper over for a try.
The scoreline was showing 17-0 and University’s defence was holding firm until hooker Folau Fainga’a was sent to the sin bin for a tackle minus arm use. With a one man advantage Randwick pounded University inside their five metre area eventually seeing them crash over on the half time bell. 17-5 was the halftime scoreline with plenty of room for improvement still to come.
The afternoon crowd was a mixture of colour and characters scattered through the ground. The sight of the Southern Districts player enjoying his silly Sunday taped to a pole in a pair of hipsters amongst his peers was M rated. It was just fortunate that medical staff were on hand with tubs of calamine lotion to ensure he did not sustain skin irritations.
The second half commenced ideally for University with their attack driving deep inside the Randwick quarter. Some ferocious rucking saw hooker come flanker Declan Moore burrow over for a 24-5 lead. Josh Schwager scored his second try after sustained rucking near the tryline.
Randwick soon shed their languor and started to gain field position. They scored a penalty try where University were penalised for a mid air tackle in the in goal changing the scores to 24-12 to University.
Randwick commenced to throw the ball about and quickly scored some tries through enterprising play. University’s goalkicking winger Christian Kagiassis a utility player sporting a beard resembling his alter ego Joe Managiello maintained a slender buffer with a score of 29-26.
The last 3 minutes were nailbiting as Randwick was desperate to gain field position to launch a score against University. Fortune alternated between both sides with dropped balls and turnovers. The final bell sounded and the ball was still alive with Randwick on the attack. The ball had to remain in play and was being passed through the hands until it was knocked on by a Randwick player. University regathered and commensurately punted the ball into the eastern hemisphere to call an end to this titanic battle against two good teams.
Both teams were spent after the final whistle. The elated University players high fiving and back slapping each other will celebrate into the wee hours. This will no doubt eclipse Auburn Deputy Mayor Selim Mehajer ‘s weekend exercise in neighbourly relations.
A great weekend for the University club with a collective 4 wins against all Randwick teams across the grades for a perfect ending to the 2015 season.