Sydney University
vs
Gordon.
20 August 2023
By Bruce ‘China’ Lin
A dominant performance by second grade booked their berth at Leichhardt Oval for the 2023 grand final next Saturday. University defeated Gordon 31-7 in a display of controlled power, discipline and technique.
The majority of the first half saw Gordon camped inside the University quarter with the aid of a swirling Westfields Burwood breeze. However rock solid defence thwarted any attacking raids from the tartan jerseys. Time and again bone crunching defence shut down the Gordon raids with big midfield hits or a covering tackle over the sideline.
However when University was able to position themselves inside enemy territory it was Gordon’s chance to experience a daytime horror movie. A five metre line out allowed University’s dominant maul to give hooker Ciaran son of Cha and Denise Loh the chance to score a try. This was merely the *amuse bouche before the main courses.
The meat and potatoes arrived soon after ignited by the that superb, sublime fullback son of Sharon and grandson of Steve Samuele Bignold. Injecting himself into the backline the slippery fullback pierced down the open and offloaded to his outside centre big Hamish Mac Smith. Mac Smith drew defenders and passed to his wing support Tahitian Prince and up and coming hand model Sepesa Loga-Tarogi. Sepesa was stopped just shy of the goal line but a fast ruck saw the ball spun wide for Mac Smith to finish off and score an excellent try. The conversion by Sam Bignold post a score of 12-0
Gordon kept on enduring unnecessary pain with a fast backline shift seeing winger Coby Mar dive into his opposite corner for a try. University’s scrum was determined in buckling and sending their opposition pack into a hospital ward for hemorrhoid treatment. University had that zeal to be almost*parsimonious towards Gordon. Halfback Tas Smith ended the first half with another converted try from Sam Bignold. 24-0 and not a bad lead for the Students going into the break.
No doubt Gordon would attempt to escape from their Alcatraz. But the mantra of maintain the rage was the formula from the brains trust of Burge and Rutherford for the second half.
The second half never rose to any really spectacular heights. Gordon did engineer a converted try early but they never threatened University for the majority of the half. University’s dominant scrum anchored by the man who keeps the Australian meat industry at the forefront big Brad Amituanai who dissected and shunted the Gordon pack for halfback Tas Smith to run open from the scrum base to score adjacent to the posts. The try was once again converted by Samuelis Bignold for scores to show 31-7.
Gordon were unable to mount any concerted play and at one stage they resembled a MASH field hospital with the wounded being treated. The match ended at 31-7 and University secured their objective.
Coach Ryan the rodent Burge was not getting ahead of himself. “Individually they did their job. They’re a good bunch of young guys and it will be a good game next week.
Fullback Sam Bignold was beaming after the game alongside his granddad Steve from South Hurstville. His father big Tony Bignold was practically lost for words after the game but succinct in his appraisal, “Yes they were good!” Excellent summation Tony.
All roads lead to Leichhardt next Saturday where University will go toe to toe against the Manly Marlins.
*amuse bouche – a small savoury item of food served as an appetizer before a meal.
*parsimonious –stingy, very sparing in the use of resources.