Sydney University
Vs
Eastwood
31 May 2025
By Bruce China Lin
In a grinding encounter University enjoyed a much needed bonus point 36-32 victory over long standing nemesis Eastwood last Saturday at the T.G. Millner field.
The game started on a positive note after nine minutes that erudite fullback James Kane cross kicked to the wing of Benjy Joseland. Joseland known by his nom-de-guerre the machine caught the ball and motored over the tryline for an early 7-0 lead.
University were defending sternly whilst attacking at every opportunity finding field position then attacking within the Eastwood quarter. Soon after the well oiled machine continued his dominance in a great lead up by a swag of blue and gold players. The ball was swung wide towards the rickety old grandstand. Backrower Eamon Doyle Australian under 20 Captain with his long legs made a break inside the Eastwood quarter and linked with his supports. Joseland again applied the burners and scored adjacent to the posts for 14-0 lead.
But never under estimate a wounded Wood and eventually they scored a lucky kick through and bounce. Then parity was achieved by a slick backline movement with an in and away down the touchline then a spectacular swan dive into the corner. A series of penalties to both teams saw them equal at 17-17 apiece to see out the first half.
A tight first half and the coaching brains trust of University fine tuned the game plan for the second half to build on their first half endeavours . Cutting down those 1% mistakes which could prove costly as per the previous weeks would be an absolute priority.
Eastwood drew first points by taking advantage of a bare blindside and scoring in the clubhouse corner to lead 24-17. But then a moment where players should know better took place.
Play was stopped and referee Mr Quinn commenced to address the Eastwood secondrower Legge. Apparently Mr Quinn or better known as Senior Constable Quinn in his professional life, took umbrage by the questioning of his neurological capacities. Decorum prevents repeating these words but needless to say it was a moment of pure *sphallollia . The red card was shown for match official abuse and this was literally the turning point with twenty five minutes left in the game.
A rather scrappy backline movement saw centre Tom Morrison score out wide. 24-22 was now thew score still trailing by two points. But rugby is a funny game sometimes and a missed touch finder saw Eastwood regather and attack down the blindside scoring a try against the run of play.
But a cheeky stab kick by centre Lukas Ripley saw Tom Morrison follow through to regather and score a converted try to only trail 29-27 with eleven minutes still left to play.
An Eastwood penalty for a University ruck infringement saw them again nose in front 32-29 but there was still a dental floss width of time left on the clock.
University were attacking inside the Eastwood quarter. An innocuous ruck was formed and from the base Eamon Doyle decided the shortest route to the tryline was straight ahead trampling over the defensive line to score a converted try. University were leading 36-32.
A penalty was no good for Eastwood and they had to run the ball when opportunities arose. They did so but gave away a penalty by not releasing the ball when tackled. The versatile utility Sam Bignold ensured the ball was booted into the cosmos to end the game. A nice win to end a run of recent near misses.
A relieved head coach Louden was glad a five point win was achieved. “Physically we hung in there and our defence in the forwards was very good.”
Amongst all the singing and backslapping later in a flooded ancient dressing room was former club President and father figure to one and all David Mortimer AO. The former President was all smiles in his praise of the team. “It was a great win and it shows what they can do when they stop making errors.”
A break next week over the June long weekend to repair and rehabilitate will see University back at home against West Harbour.
*Sphallolia- flirtatious talk that leads nowhere.