2nd Grade (Colin Caird Shield)
Sydney Uni 40 def. Gordon 7
3rd Grade (Henderson Shield)
Sydney Uni 73 def. Gordon 0
4th Grade (Henderson Cup)
Sydney Uni 60 def. Gordon 7
1st Colts (W.McMahon Memorial Shield)
By Rob Taylor (Coach)
The highlight of the day was the 13 consecutive rounds of all three Colts teams winning, with this round of wins having a little more significance then others as we secured Eric Spilsted Shield awarded to the Colts Club Champions for another year after winning it in 2016, Randwick had claimed it in 2015. What makes the achievement sweeter is that we’ve had a number of Colts playing Grade, with no fewer than eleven at the weekend. Promoting talent and winning at the same time is the two objectives of the Colts programme.
As to the 1st Colts game, I was fairly satisfied with the performance against Gordon, we had some moments of our best rugby and then areas where we might have pushed the ball a little too much.
While a number of players are in Grade it has provided us with a chance to promote talent and try players in new positions or just develop depth for all scenarios come finals. Miti Tuinakauvadra made his starting debut at loosehead prop, a position he may eventually move into and Hayden Pomare made his starting debut for 1st Colts, not bad for a year 11 school kid. Out of the starting 15, 10 of the players will be returning to Colts next year, a few have another two years of Colts.
Notable performances in the forwards were: Jay Spencer with a double and few telling runs, Josh Kemeny made some big runs and Rory Suttor put some strong tackles in. The rest of the pack worked really well complimenting each other in attack and defence. In the backs, a number of players had their various moments of excellence and as a unit scored a couple of tries that will make the season highlights reel.
Sydney Uni 48 def. Gordon 12
2nd Colts (Shell Trophy)
By Sean Anese (Player)
Sydney University 2nd Colts had another hard-fought victory on the weekend against the boys from Gordon, securing a 33-7 victory over the green, black and yellow. Continuing to build momentum into the finals the boys were faced with a few last-minute reshuffles but recovered well and regrouped as a team.
Once again, the team’s set piece led the way with the scrum relentlessly pushing Gordon backwards, resulting in two tries from Oliver Young. Likewise, the backs were having similar success, with Connor Farnell bringing the ball back with blitzing speed and evasion. Full credit to the boys for holding out some strong Gordon attack and securing the Victory.
Sydney Uni 33 def. Gordon 7
3rd Colts (Bill Simpson Shield)
By Gabriel Enright (Coach)
Late Friday afternoon the TELEX WRITER at H.Q. sprang to life as a message from the boffins down at “Stats & Rego” clattered into the tray. Maximus Miller was cleared to make his Sydney Premier Colts debut against the Gordon Highlanders and after 5 years service to SUFC on the side-lines the frog was finally out of the sock as “Maxi” turned in a strong game at Scrumhalf bringing home the win.
Gordon were a determined opposition last Saturday and going down by a 36 to 5 scoreline didn’t reflect their intensity and effort as they defended very well and played some excellent rugby when in possession. In rallying late in the game the young Highlanders pounded Uni’s defensive line and scored a well deserved late try.
Sydney University played a very astute game and with the boot of Ed Renton hitting some form they put the game beyond reach quickly and surely. The signs are good coming into the finals as the entire squad has had meaningful game time while keeping up a good parity of team performance within the game plan and structures.
With a tight lid on Best and Fairest points for the rest of the season special mention, in no particular order, goes to: Oliver Young, Raymond Taufai, Aidan Moore, Dane Stephens, Sean O’Byrne, Bati Koroisau, Toby Dickinson, Maximus Miller and Julian Manieson.
That’s 16 wins in a row for Colts 3 with the Minor Premiership in the offing this Saturday against a newly minted Parramatta side who are running RED HOT and have qualified for the finals. Being the only Two Blues team in finals contention they will be stacked to the hilt with talented youngsters and have drawn home ground advantage with a 9.10am Super Saturday kick off at Merryland’s.
Sydney Uni 36 def. Gordon 7