Sydney University
Vs
West Harbour
14 May 2025
By Bruce China Lin
The second half of the season commenced in fine style last Saturday with a 38-19 victory over the West Harbour Pirates at University. Coinciding with the clubs annual Pasifika night spectacular it was a valuable bonus point victory but not without some moments of angst.
It took ten minutes before University scored their first try . Following a phase of rucking near the Pirates goaline, breakaway Sam Allsopp ran a crash ball . The feisty flanker got hit but like a human pin ball and bounced off the tackler to score.
The Students continuity in play proceeded with an attack towards the main campus. The ball was spread wide through the sets of hands. Then it was inevitable the ball was received by winger Benjy Joseland aka the machine. The machine scooped the ball from a ruck set by breakaway Eamon Doyle. Joseland with his explosive pace burned through defenders and scored.
But concentration is a pivotal facet of the game and University let West Harbour back in. Attacking inside the University quarter a rather innocuous run saw the Pirates number eight somehow slice through the University first line of defence for an easy try. Scores still had University leading 12-7 .
A quick duck away for an ale would cause you to miss the West Harbour comeback. A ruck was formed inside the Wests half and unfortunately for University it was not marked tightly. Sensing the existing gap the Wests winger Dawai ran straight through and sped downfield. Dawai sensing being clobbered by the University cover defence chipped ahead regathering and outrunning the defence to score a spectacular individual try.
12-12 was the scoreline ending the first half. Probably not what was expected but arghh shiver me timbers as the West Harbour Pirates were not about to walk the plank standing up to University. A tantalizing spectacle lay ahead for the second forty minutes.
University did not disappoint for the second half. The coaching staff emphasized at halftime to apply *defenestration to the max and they did not disappoint.
A five metre rolling maul resulted in a try to Waratah hooker Ethan Dobbins. Then outside centre Lukas Ripley set up an excellent try. Running a deceptive line the defence hesitated in grounding Ripley who was able to offload to his support Mrs Ruth Matthews’ son fullback Jack to score. This guaranteed University a bonus point and a 26-12 lead.University had found their second half mojo and continued exploiting any attacking options. The next try was again scored by (drum roll) the machine!
The ball was spread fast towards the northern side. Replacement five eighth Sam Bignold executed a long looping pass to the far flank reminiscent of his father Tony from his days as a dashing five eighth for the Haberfield Gophers. Joseland caught the ball at pace then chipped ahead regathered to score into the scoreboard corner. 31-12 was now the scoreline but it changed again shortly after.
University incurred a sin binning for offside indiscretions and Wests capitalized by exploiting the overlap to score out wide.
But from the kickoff a bizarre moment befell the Pirates. The ball was passed from a ruck and for reasons that would never be explained the ball fell flat like a bad souffle. The ball popped up and University breakaway Leafi Talataina unmarked grabbed the ball and tip toed to score the easiest of try’s under the posts for the final score of 38-19.
Despite the tight first half head coach Todd Louden was quite satisfied with this win.” A very good win. The second half we were physical. With so many changes and without training it was a good result.”
The night was rounded off with the great Pasifika night put on by the players and families of the club. It was good to see the West Harbour lads also enjoy the culture, food and good vibes which makes rugby such a part of our lives.
Next week University do battle with Gordon at Chatswood. With the new metro station adjacent to Chatswood oval (even cheaper with a gold opal card!)it’s a convenient option to travel there now.
*Defenestration- the throwing of a person or thing out the window.