Sydney University
Vs
Eastwood
13 June 2026
By Bruce China Lin
The old T.G.Millner field witnessed a see sawing encounter last Saturday. Only two minutes from the end Eastwood snatched victory away from University. 42-39 was the final score to end an enthralling game.
University took less than two minutes to register their first points for the afternoon. The ball was recycled rapidly from side to side. A rush down the clubhouse grandstand saw the ball channeled to winger Boston Fakafanua. The nuggety winger clapped on the pace to score in the corner for a converted try. The 7-0 scoreline quickly increased to 14-0 with some incredible handling by the Students.
Second rower Nathaniel Panozzo received a short ball from number eight Tevita Ahokovi. Panozzo continued downfield and passed onto the trailing centre George Poolman. Poolman continued the incursion and was stopped short of the line by desperate Eastwood defence. But Poolman released the ball which bobbled on the ground behind him. This was not a problem for fullback Tom Curtis who regathered and scored another converted try.
University were ahead 14-0 but Eastwood regathered their thoughts and were able to press the University line. Some simple rucking saw an innocuous converted try right under the posts. The kicking accuracy of their five eighth returning representative player Tane Edmed proved significant later on.
University later attacked from a line out. The ball was spread wide and Captain Eamon Doyle unleashed the inner Irish wolfhound inside him. Doyle busted the defence and galloped through. Doyle’s bust created a channel down the blindside along the old rickety grandstand which seems to have avoided a coat of Taubmans primer for many years. Breakaway Leafi Talataina in support continued towards the corner and pumped the legs to score in the corner.
19-7 University were leading but again. But a lapse in concentration bestowed another easy seven points to Eastwood with a try near the posts after some picking and driving.
From the kickoff University five eighth Joey Fowler had a six sense and kicked deep into the grandstand corner. Eastwood saw the ball rolling into touch but assisted the process by touching it hence delivering a five metre lineout to University.
The line out was worthy of a Cirque du Soleil illusion trick. The ball was brought down and prop Lotu Vunipola ran to the blindside but looped an around the corner pass to breakaway Joe Mangelsdorf for a clever try. The try could not be converted but at halftime University were ahead 24-14.
Despite the imminent bulldozing of this old ground there is nothing better to do on a Saturday afternoon. The patio of the old clubhouse was full. Those present were enjoying a flaky meat pie, sipping a beverage or just enjoying the sunshine like those *foppish University mothers Ruth Matthews and Kate Robinson.
The second half was just a constant seesawing episode. Eastwood scored first with a simple try from a five metre scrum to trail 24-21. Then it was time to release the machine with winger Benjy Joseland. University were pressing from a five metre lineout. The ball was spread wide. Instead of going through the hands the ball was kicked diagonally to the corner of the in goal by Joey Fowler. Joseland was waiting in the ingoal, jumped to secure the ball and score five points. 29-21 University now leading.
Another simple Eastwood try though pressing inside the five metre area saw them now trail 29-28. Tom Curtis kicked a penalty to maintain a buffer at 32-28. But like an old vinyl album with a scratch on it Eastwood would not go away and scored another converted try to now lead 35-32 with ten minutes left.
The Fowler-Joseland show went to a sequel with another cross field kick into the in goal for a converted try. Leading 39-35 with two minutes left was just not enough as Eastwood threw everything at University.
The ball was spread wide and their speedy winger was jinking and swerving all over the field that a hip displacement was likely. The wingers speed was enough for a converted try in the corner . The clock wound down and Eastwood got the points.
University will rue showing dominance through large passages but not maintaining concentration at crucial moments.
Next week they can recalibrate with a home game against their Parramatta Road neighbours the West Harbour Pirates on the clubs annual Pasifika extravaganza night.
*Foppish- Conscious of how their outfit looks.