Sydney University
Vs
Southern Districts.
25 /07/2026
By Bruce China Lin
University continued its recent good form with a 54-33 victory over a tenacious Southern Districts last Saturday at Camperdown.
Conditions could not be better with a dry firm track albeit with a grey hue and sunny conditions. Only ninety seconds had elapsed with a return of the best of British in the form of the machine winger Benjy Joseland.
The ball was taken down the grandstand blindside through the backline. Fullback James McGregor drew defenders and Joseland received the ball in full throttle mode down the touchline. Joseland in his dash skittled two covering defenders to score a converted try.
At the three minute mark again the University backline decided to run wide and this time some simple passing gave Tom Morrison the opportunity for a try in the scoreboard corner. The University tries continued with number eight Ollie Harvey piercing through a loose ruck twenty five metres out. You could visibly see Harvey’s high leg lifts legs pumping and simultaneously lip synching *Nancy Sinatra’s ‘These boots were made for walkin’.
University’s penchant for speed was exemplified by fullback McGregor in his next try through changes in pace, swerves and steps where he bamboozled the Rebels defence for a bonus point try. Scoreline was 26-0 after only twenty minutes and you could fairly say the signs were not particularly good for Southern Districts.
Despite another Joseland converted try University let their foot off the accelerator and gave Souths the opportunity to mount a mini comeback. A succession of quick converted tries inside the University five metre area saw Souths elevate their scoreline to only trail University 33-28 at halftime. Discipline needed to be addressed by the Students at halftime. There was nothing fancy about the Rebels tries as their persistence paid off.
Like the first half the sequence was identical firstly with Joseland recommencing the scoring with another dart along the touchline. Morrison followed with another try in the opposite corner.
More tries followed not through fancy moves but discipline. University were out of the danger zone and were leading 54-28 with six minutes remaining in the game.
Souths were unable to mount an assertive comeback for the second period. However a consolation diving try in the grandstand corner saw them complete the game at 54-33.
The game started like a bolt of lightning by University however things soon levelled out. University will be glad they just came out with a bonus point victory.
Head coach John Manenti was honest in his post match appraisal. “It was not the greatest of wins. We have to make sure we do not let sides back in with easy points. Against the stronger sides we have coming up we will be punished because of that.”
Forwards coach Liam Winton reinforced the Manenti words, “ We let them off the hook and we have to do better than that,” said Winton.
Despite the sombre debrief two first grade debutants emerged with breakaway Beau Geoffrey Morrison and the big kid from Orange Arnie Tancred running on. Congratulations to both!
The night was just getting underway with a plethora of lower grade players already resplendent and having applied the three B’s buffed, blow dryed and in third grade prop Tye Manson’s case brylcreamed for the annual players ball. These clubmen unrecognisable donning their * gubbins worth Kelly Country polyester dinner jackets were about to enjoy their night of nights before three hard games ahead.
First one next week at that northern beaches rodents nest against the Warringah Rats awaits the Students.
* Nancy Sinatra’s These boots were made for walkin.– Feature song of Nancy Sinatra’s 1966 debut solo album.
*Gubbins – Thing with little or no value.