Game 1: Sydney Uni v American Allstars
The first match of the Sydney University rugby campaign kicked off in extremely wet conditions against the USA rugby team. The student started off quickly with an early try to Jack Feilen. Unfortunately, Jack faced a shoulder injury and was soon replaced by Tas Smith.
The next kick off saw USA score a rolling maul try. Students 5-5 USA. Thereafter, an unfortunate bounce off a line out say the USA score under the post, 12-5 USA.
Late try to Tas Smith saw Uni take the lead 12-13. However, this was short lived, and the USA team kicked a conversion shortly after to retake the lead 15-13.
After some brilliant running rugby, Digby Cooke ran over the line to what looked like a game winning try. Unfortunately, the try was held up and the full-time whistle was blown. Final score 15-13 to the Americans.
Game 2: Sydney University v Bordeaux University
The Students were keen to right the wrongs from the first match. Now they faced the hosts – Bordeaux University in an afternoon match. The second game of the tournament started in an excellent matter, with Jack Matthews scoring an early try under the post, off the back of a dominant rolling maul.
Bordeaux was quick to answer back, converting a penalty. Uni 7 to Bordeaux 3.
The Students continued to apply pressure on the Bordeaux try line but failed to convert it into points.
The beginning of the second half was unlucky. A controversial red card to Luke Ratcliff saw the Students under pressure. Unfortunately, an intercept try to Bordeaux quickly followed. Bordeaux 8, Uni 7.
An impressive 55m kick saw Bordeaux lengthen their lead 11-7.
Game 3: Sydney University v New Zealand
Day 2 of the WURIT tournament and the boys were hungry, Game 1 of the days was against the New Zealand combined University. The boys started off with some incredible defence and were gifted a penalty for their efforts. Jack Matthew’s slotted the kick from just above halfway and Uni led 3-0. However, NZ was quick to answer back with a penalty conversion, levelling the score 3-3.
The Students then were able to maintain consistent pressure. After numerous penalties and dominant scrums from Jamie Clarke and Sione Harriss, we were gifted a line out from the 5m. After a brilliant rolling maul, Sam Cantwell went over the line Uni 10 to NZ 3.
The Second half was a slower start which saw NZ knocking over a 3 pointer from the halfway line. They then continued to maintain pressure within our 22. The Student’s defenders tremendously well for 10 minutes, consistently holding NZ back from points. However, a skillful grubbed kick out behind saw the NZ score a try. Uni 10 – NZ 11. The students fought back hard and got a scrum penalty on the 50m line off the back of a dominant scrum from Jamie Clarke, Sam Cantwell and Sione Harriss. Unfortunately a missed conversion saw the students go down 11-10.
Game 4: Sydney University v British Columbia
For the Second match of the day, the students were hungry for their first win. In this match up we had Canada.
Numerous penalties cost the students and culminated in rolling maul a try to Canada. However, the Students were hungry and bounced back quickly where Charlie Murray danced along the sideline and scored a try under the posts. Uni 7- Canada 5. The students then applied pressure where off a successful line out and strong carry from Sean Hasagawa lead to a try by Darcy Creagh under the posts. Jack Matthews was quick to solidify the points with another conversion. Uni 14 to Canada 5.
The Second half was a very dominant outing from Uni. Unfortunately, the beginning of the half didn’t result in any points. Strong tackles from Sione Harriss and hard carries from Jack Sproats kept the students in a good position. A brilliant line out steal, line break then offload from Jacob Ratcliff, culminated in a runaway away try under the posts for Sam Cantwell. It was quickly followed by another conversion from Jack Matthew’s. Uni 21- Canada 5
Game 5: Sydney University v Cape Town
Following a big night out in Lyon for the Wallabies vs Wales game, the Students were back on for another game. Today we had the reigning champions – the South Africans. The Students started off with some serious pace, where a dominant rolling maul culminated in an advantage. A precise kick from Tas Smith into the ingoal for Hamish Mac Smith saw the students score the first points of the game. This was soon solidified by a conversion for Jack Matthews. Uni 7 – SA 0. The Students held their lead through dominant set piece, kicking and physicality. Even an unfortunate yellow card to Luke ratcliff had minimal effect on the game. The Students held their lead for the remainder of the half.
Despite unlucky injuries to Dan Breden and Darcy Creagh, the Students kept pushing. After a mighty second half effort, the students took the win and beat the South Africans in the upset of the tournament!
Game 6 – 5th place play off: British Columbia
The final game day was here. The Students went to compete in the 5th and 6th plave play off against Canada. The boys started with some heat, exiting from their 22 and applying sustained pressure in the oppositions 22. However and unfortunate intercept pass resulted in Canada scoring the first try o the game. Canada 7 – UNI 0.
Uni was eager to hit back. After sustained pressures and some strong carries from Max von Appen and Tas Smith, the students forced a penalty on the oppositions 10m line. A good kick form Sam Bignold saw the Students with a line out on the 5m line. A clinical throw from Sean Hasegawa followed by a good set from the forwards, culminated in a rolling maul try to Sean Hasegawa.
the students still trailed 5-7, and desperately needed to close out more points before the end of the half. Some brilliant footwork from Jack Matthews rewarded the students with a line break through the middle. A clean offload to Max von Appen saw the students score another try under the posts. Uni 12 – Canada 7.
The Students carried momentum into the second half further utilising the rolling maul weapon. After consecutive rolling maul penalties, the students piggy backed Canada back towards their line. A dominant rolling maul saw Sean Hasegwa go over the line for his second try of the day.
Ultimately the Students pushed the Canadians hard and won the 5th place play offs. Finishing off the tournament on a dominant win!
