Sydney University maintained back to back victories with a high tempo performance defeating West Harbour Pirates 41-31 at University Oval No:1 last Saturday.

The day also coincided with the annual junior’s services day and there was a plethora of police and fire personnel on hand with their hardware on show consorting with the crowd.

The curtain raiser to the first grade fixture was a fast paced 10’s game between the NSW Police and Fire & Rescue. The fire fighters were triumphant with a hard fought 17-14 scoreline. Less carbs and more protein recommended to the boys in blue next year to defeat the fit as a fiddle firies.

The Pirates fullback Harvey commenced the days’ points with an early penalty but University commenced to freely use the ball and soon after wards notched two excellent tries scored by that number 8 with the  clean cut Hugh Grant looks Mitchell Whiteley. Whiteley shredded through a ruck and backed up some sustained play for his respective tries.

University were building in confidence and running the ball from all corners of the ground. Sometimes that exhuberance can  prove dangerous . An attacking raid saw University’s good work  come undone when Wests intercepted a ball. An easy try was scored for a 17-14 score line in favour of the Students half way through the first half.

University were geared towards stopping Wests through some heavy tackles and prominent amongst the heavy hitters was bustling inside centre big Jim Stewart.  Both Stewart and his partner outside centre Tom Kingston were proving handfuls for the Pirates to handle.

Before halftime a set move was executed inside the Pirates 22 metre area. Half back Jake Gordon passed back inside to Greg Jeloudev running on an angle at full pace. The winger split the Wests defence who were clutching at him prior to scoring. This try was the signature move of injured winger Henry Clunies-Ross. However Henry today was busy donning the police penguin mascot suit  Constable Charlie amongst the children and trying not to alarm them with a set of protruding legs  which were in dire need of a wax!

Half time beckoned and the Students were ahead 24-17. Wests were still a danger with their wily coach Rayne Homer Simpson plotting to get one over his old club. But University coach Nobby Malone had other ideas for the start of the second half.

University came out of the sheds focused on punishing the Pirates by scoring two quick tries. Once again Jeloudev backed up a nice neat movement between back rowers Wainwright and Whiteley to score his second try and 200 points for the club. Congratulations to the speedy winger who thrives on tries during rugby games as a virtual dipsomaniac*

University continued the pressure  when breakaway Jake Wainwright in his best game to date scored another try through some good backing up by fullback Roberts and his winger O’Dare.  Wests counterpunched with a try from a line out. But their efforts were resisted when Wainwright scored another back up try to make their visit to University Oval feel like a Contiki tour to Pyongyang.

The game became a bit heated in the second half and resembled a hybrid version of  Mongolian wrestling  . Yellow cards were issued to both teams and a red card against the Pirates for wayward rucking.

The Students held out the Pirates for a final score of 41-31. A bonus point victory and building valuable momentum in the coming weeks against some strong teams.

 

*One who suffers from an irresistible craving for intoxicants.