Sydney University
Vs
Northern Suburbs
12 July 2025
By Bruce China Lin
Sydney University continued suffering grief last Saturday at Camperdown with a 35-24 loss to Northern Suburbs. This time there was no fairytale ending for Norths as they effectively dissected the Students.
Only an early penalty and a try before halftime allowed University to register ten points. But they trailed Norths by twenty one points with points conceded some against the run of play.
The second half saw no *abear let up with Norths again scoring another try first. University were their own worst enemies as the points scored against them rode on the back of momentum which is always hard to stop.
The scoreline had ballooned to 29-10 and the blue and gold faithful would probably be more intent to quaff a cosmopolitan cocktail and eating a dozen oysters Kilpatrick by the fish markets than this afternoon heartache.
But University refocused at last after a Norths sin binning. The affable giant second rower Clem Halaholo wound up and skittled a pod of red and black defenders. One defender was sin binned in the process as he shoulder charged the big Clem during the process. The ensuing lineout was driven over like the good ole days of University rugby. Travelling minstrel hooker Declan Moore scored the try converted by the dashing fullback Jack Matthews for the Students to now trail 29-17.
But the University comeback was extinguished by a simple looping movement along the backline scored by their journeyman ball artist five eighth Max Burey to expand their scoreline now to 35-17.
But University persevered and Clem Halaholo scored his second converted try through a series of heavy rucking inside the Norths five metre zone.
The game petered out after the kickoff for the final scoreline of 35-24.
University were outplayed by a more experienced Norths outfit who pounced on any University mistakes. Another hard opposition awaits them with a short turnaround.
Next Friday night University are under lights at Camperdown against the Manly Marlins who are undergoing a renaissance at this time of the season.
*abear -endure or put up with.