Sydney University
Vs
Hunter Wildfires
9 May 2026
By Bruce China Lin
Last Saturday the two hour trek up the M1 failed to secure an early mother’s day present for our beloved mother’s. A 46-35 victory was enjoyed by the Hunter Wildfires which capitalised on University mistakes.
Hunter enjoyed field position early on and when a five metre lineout was set they exploited the blind side and crashed into the north east corner for a converted try. An extra penalty increased the scoreline to 10-0.
Once University settled down they also secured decent field position to build pressure inside the Hunter quarter. The Students were picking and driving back pedalling the Wildfires. Instead of another crash ball five eighth Tom Curtis passed the ball wide towards the grandstand flank where the return of the machine winger Benjy Joseland was lurking. Joseland received the pass and took a nano second to race over in the corner for a converted try.
University seemed to have discarded the cobwebs and scored again with the return of Brumby tight head prop Darcy Breen crashing over following a phase of recycling forward rushes.
14-10 was the scoreline and those observers in the crowd would naturally feel that University was on track to continue their momentum. However for reasons only those imbued with the foresight of a Tibetan monk, University allowed Hunter to surpass them with ad lib broken field tries. The only counter was a charge down try by inside centre George Poolman to see out the half 31-21. A frustrating first half where University should have consolidated their lead only for them to trail.
The second half started perfectly with a bullocking try scored once again by Joseland following a nice ball delivered by halfback Hwi Sharples. 31-28 University were trailing but were attacking inside the Wildfires quarter building momentum. But again the positive signs turned to despair as the ball was intercepted along the backline for virtually a length of the field try. Like a *biblioklept procuring that text everyone needed the ball was cruelly snatched from the Students and defence was converted into attack to increase Hunter’s lead to 38-28.
With their backs to the wall University did not give up. A deep kick by replacement halfback Olly Schmude was charged down and that man about town Joseland regathered and scored a hatrick in the corner. University were now only trailing by three points but again some mistakes gave field position to the Wildfires. A five metre lineout resulted in a converted try. An additional buffer was created with an offside penalty.
The final two minutes saw Hunter work down the clock with the repetitious picks and drives gently recycling the ball back chewing up valuable time. Boring enough but effective to secure a victory for a final scoreline of 46-35.
University have no difficulties in scoring tries but allowing the opposition to counter shortly after by not sustaining the momentum is preventing them to come out victors.
Nothing gets easy as next week we play traditional rivals Randwick at Coogee oval.
*bibliokept – refers to a person that steals books.