Sydney University
Vs
Gordon
18 /07/2026
By Bruce China Lin
*Carpe diem a phrase usually associated with the Roman poet Horace 65-8 BC came to Chatswood Oval last Saturday. University went full throttle and piled on the points against Gordon for a 43-31 victory.
An early penalty to University started the days play. However Gordon who sit one rung above University on the table also provided tit for tat points with quick tries for their Ladies Day.
A five metre lineout was the start of the University try fest. Ollie Harvey Australian sevens player, winger, converted number eight and suspected *Cyborg now was the last man at the back of a maul for a converted try.
But Gordon continued gnawing away with a chip and chase try in the corner. University deemed two could play like that!
With the backdrop of impressive skyscrapers behind the Archer street goalposts, architecture student Ollie Harvey asked his namesake Olly Schmude for an unusual request. The request was to box kick into the corner so that Harvey could examine some examples of *brutalist architecture. The wish was obliged and Harvey regathered a deft box kick to saunter over in the corner with enough time to make some mental notes about the nearby Mandarin Centre.
University were ahead 15-12 but again Gordon exploited an exposed blindside from a scrum and motored towards the trainline corner for another try.
This incessant see sawing in scores was tantamount to a Straight of Hormuz ceasefire. Very frustrating and cause for the University brains trust that it was now time to release the beast the machine Benjy Joseland.
Fast recycling from one touchline to another saw fullback Tom Morrison make the extra man. Morrison drew defenders for Joseland to receive the final pass and score. University continued the momentum with a Morrison try shortly after under the posts. An ever so subtle step and jink from Morrison caused the Gordon fullback to demonstrate a new form of the party game Twister . His arms going one way while the body and hips went the opposite. University increased their lead 29-17 and secure that valuable bonus point.
The Students had the momentum and coupled with Gordon’s*widdershins with set pieces was the lead up for Joseland to grab his double. An inside ball was received by Joseland . A prodigious gap beckoned through the middle which was fatal for Gordon. Joseland ripped through with his pace for another try causing University to now lead 36-17 at halftime.
The second half was not as spectacular like the first forty minutes. The ground was looking heavy from recent rain. The centre wicket was black and gooey resembling the beef and black bean sitting in a Chatswood Chase food court bain marie. University only scored a converted try through outside centre Boston Fakafanua bouncing off a number of Gordon jerseys like a pin ball.
University’s avalanche of points was too much for Gordon to claw back despite two more tartan tries. Like the *Mesozoic era time ran out for Gordon to mount a viable comeback. The final score of 43-31 was an excellent prelude with some blockbuster games ahead.
Head coach John Manenti could not be happier post game, “Make no mistake Gordon are a good team and they have strike players across the team. But we can start to see what we’re capable of doing. We just have to fine tune those little moments where we let teams back in” said Godfather Manenti.
The trust in the side was echoed by Captain Eamon Doyle in his observations, ”You can sense that focus in us just by the way we warmed up today “said Doyle.
Next week University are back at home against Southern Districts to maintain their momentum.
*Carpe Diem- A Latin aphorism to seize the day and make the most of the present moment.
*Cyborg – a being with organic and biomechatronic body parts.
*Brutalist-Exposed concrete massive forms
*Mesozoic-Age of the dinosaurs