Sydney University ran in 14 tries in their in their 88-5 thumping of Penrith at the campus Football Ground on Saturday.
The Students posted six first half tries to lead 38-5 at the break and ran at will in a one-sided 50-nil second half as the Penrith pack and defensive line wilted under pressure.
With Sydney University attacking from all parts of the ground, chunky wingers Saia Tanginoa (3) and Christian Kagiassis (2) ran with spiders in the pockets to pick up five tries between them.
Both had a licence to run free range and they made the most of it. Kagiassis’ first half try was a gem. Having made a bullocking run to the left edge, he back up three phases later to take an inside pass from centre Tom Carter to race away untouched.
Fullback Angus Roberts also enjoyed the outing, making a number of long breaks from counter-attack raids and kick-off returns.
And halfback Jake Gordon bagged another pair of tries through his astuteness at breaks of play.
The Sydney University pack continues to impress, with solid contributions from one to eight in the set pieces and the field play.
The Penrith pack held up well until early in the second half when loosehead prop Ikuna Manufetoa departed the scene. None tried harder for the visitors than lock Tuitakau Kioa, who made three long breaks but lacked support runners, and number eight Jason Haeva, who peeled off the back of a solid scrum to set up winger Hokulani Taupeamuhu for the visitor’s only try.
The win kept Sydney University at the top of Shute Shield ladder on 50 points, with Southern Districts (45), Eastwood (44), Northern Suburbs (43), Randwick (42) and Eastern Suburbs (41) making up the top six.
And the clean-sweep through all grades and Colts, gave SUFC a handy lead in the Club Championship with games against Randwick at Coogee Oval, Warringah at home and Eastern Suburbs at Woollahra Oval on the agenda over the next three weekends.
Sydney University lead the Club Championship on 2224 points, ahead of Randwick (1916) and Eastern Suburbs (1857).
One man who would have been happy to read the results in the Sunday papers would have been former SUFC president Andrew Murray, who was made a Member (AM) in the General Division in the Queen’s Birthday honours for significant service through contributions to aero-medical, conservation, education and research organisations and to rugby union.
Mr Murray was the president who led SUFC from Second Division back into First Division. He was also prop in the Dave Brockhoff-coached 1968 side that won the Shute Shield.
First Grade (Shute Shield)
First Grade: Sydney University 88 (Saia Tanginoa 3, Christian Kagiassis 2, Jake Gordon 2, Jackson McCalman, Ben Hughes, Folau Fiingaa, Siaosi Halaifonjua, Hugh Frazer, Tom Carter, Richie Williams tries; Angus Roberts 5 goals, Christian Kagiassis 4 goals) defeated Penrith 5 (Hokulani Taupeamuhu) at Sydney University Football Ground.
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