Sydney University
Vs
Northern Suburbs
24 May 2025
By Bruce China Lin
After a week of torrential rain blue skies was bathed over the historic North Sydney Oval last Saturday. But just when you thought University would sneak over with a win, in the eighty fourth minute a half way penalty kick literally broke the hearts of University supporters and players. Norths scraped away with 32-30 victory and once again the Students must have neutralised a black cat on their way across the harbour bridge.
It was a tight affair in the first half with both sides stoutly defending. Tit for tat tries saw both teams at half time 14-14. University’s rucking game gave them parity .University were finally not behind the eight ball as per previous weeks.
The second half started with every coaches dream. After two minutes a Norths turnover saw number eight big Leafi Talataiana gallop down towards the Norths goaline. He was stopped just short inside the five metre zone. Some adult’s only rucking saw the Students centre Tom Morrison pickup and bullock his way over for a converted try to lead Norths 21-14.
But Norths persevered and exploiting a channel down the grandstand blind side saw a pop ball back to a support scoring in the corner. 21-19 and things were tighter than the Dear Leader Kim Jong Un’s trouser belt!
Norths were coming back strong and University were kicking penalties to keep just ahead of them. The scores fluctuated between both sides . One minute Norths lead 29-27 then University inched ahead 30-29.
Another penalty a minute from full time should have iced the game but was missed and a few seconds were left. From the kickoff a ruck infringement bequeathed Norths the mother of all penalties from half way.
The replacement kicker from just inside his half lined the ball and you could have heard a possum in the Moreton Bay fig tree wag its bushy tail. The ball was kicked and it limped over the bar to the horror of University players and brethren. That North’s kicker with his cameo made a quick *absquatulate whilst University were gobsmacked that rugby is truly a cruel game sometimes.
Next week things don’t get any easier with another away game versus Eastwood.
*Absquatulate – to flee or abruptly leave.