Sydney University
vs
Manly
By Bruce ‘China’ Lin
27 July 2024
The iconic beachside suburb of Manly a fifteen minute ferry ride from Circular Quay. Enough time to consume a 375 ml can of Gin on board was the setting for the Students clash with the Manly Marlins. Unfortunately University lost 31-21 and their finals campaign has probably come to a close.
Manly had a big side physically and with a sprinkling of representative players. After four minutes they had scored a five metre rolling maul try for a 7-0 lead. But University also had a swag of neat tricks. A five metre lineout was set. Instead of the ball being thrown long it was a short ball to the front. Backrower Angus Allen took off like a rampaging wildebeest down the blind side to score a converted try.
But then a loosely marked flank saw Manly exploit with a cross field kick. The kick was regathered by recent Wallaby inside centre Lolakai Foketi who raced downfield to score another converted try. The healthy crowd were in raptures whilst the inebriated brethren perched on the hill were cracking more cans to lubricate their larynx’s.
But University decided a touch of gambol * was required and constructed phases of brutal rucking within the Manly quarter. They were noticeably back pedaling the Manly pack towards Sydney Road. The dam wall eventually burst after the ball was received by five eighth Joey Fowler who passed back inside to inside centre Eddie Poolman slipping through a gap to score under the posts for a converted try.
But the thorn in any side allowing a try before the break occurred. Manly channeled across to their flank where their speedy winger Toohey was positioned. Like the Warner Brothers character the Road Runner he took off and daylight was second. Manly were now ahead 21-14 at halftime.
Those visitors to Sydney taking the picturesque ferry trip to Manly wharf would notice that Sydney has a new feature ranking up there with the Harbour Bridge, and Opera House. Yes Manly Oval was transformed into a gigantic dead sea mud bath – excellent for psoriarsis and skin conditions with the centre pitch a dark brown, sticky mess for the combatants.
The pain continued after the break when the ball was intercepted during a University attack for Manly to score another converted try in the Sydney Road corner. Manly were ahead 28-14 with over half an hour still left on the game clock. But University could not breach the Manly line for a prolonged period. Only late in the game did University score a converted try by winger Henry Clunies-Ross after play was allowed to continue after a bobbled ball. But Manly had the luck today and was delivered a kickable penalty on fulltime for a ruck infringement denying University a bonus point to end the scoreline 31-21. The young University team were gallant in defeat against a big game Manly fifteen.
Next week University are at Bellevue Hill against Eastern Suburbs.
*Gambol – to jump or skip about in play