Sydney University Lions produced a great defensive performance in the Minor Semi Final against a very committed University of Canberra at Norford Park on Saturday, defeating UC Grizzlies 32-14.
Leading 12-10 at half time the Lions went on with the job in the second half scoring a total of six tries and kicking four goals with Caine Trindall leading the charge scoring two tries in an impressive performance.
It was the great defensive effort of the team that was most pleasing at one stage holding off 18 plays from the Grizzlies on the Lions goal line. The performance of the team demonstrated a strong work-rate, teamwork, and a never-say-die attitude especially after conceding a try early in the game. In attack the Lions found gaps in the Grizzlies defense thanks largely to energetic performances by Steve Tziotis, Kingston Nicholson and Domenic Daher. Trindall crossed the line twice in the second half which allowed the team to take control and open up a 14 point lead.
Halves Morrison Mong and Jake Vrahnos lead the team around the park while the forwards laid the platform with strong runs from Ryan Barton, Kurt Lewis, William Grooms and Daniel Harrison.
Daniel Lambert finished off the scoring after a strong run by Scott Bunch who offloaded the ball to Lambert to streak away and seal the win 34-14 and setup a torrid counter against Minor Premiers UTS Tigers in the Preliminary Final next week for the right to play Norwest Polecats in the Grand Final.
In Second Division, the Lions were beaten 50-18 by Cumberland Beavers. Training during the week was upbeat and the Lions were confident going into the match. The Lions started brightly with three uncovered tries and were dominating the early exchanges. Beavers scored a couple of tries on the back of consecutive penalties and went into the half time break even at 12-12.
Unfortunately, the Lions were not able to complete the first set of the second half from the resumption of play and conceded an early try. Further costly handling errors allowed the Beavers to take full advantage and they capitalised by scoring back to back tries and went on with the job scoring a further 5 tries to run out winners 50-18 and end the season for Sydney University Lions Division 2.
Preliminary Final of theNSW Tertiary Cup competition, on September 5, will see Sydney University Lions take on UTS Balmain Tigers at Norford Park, First Division kicking off at 3pm.
Scoreboard
NSW Tertiary Cup competition – Minor Semi Final
Division 1: Sydney University 32 (Caine Trindall 2, Steve Tziotis, Morrison Mong, Kurt Lewis, Daniel Lambert tries; Tziotis 4 goals) defeated UC Grizzlies 14.
Division 1 Kobe Jones Man of the Match was Caine Trindall
Division 2: Sydney University 18 (Tom McCarthy, Nick Spichopoulos, Eden Pomere, Krypton Tatupu tries; Kingi Ngatai goal) defeated by Cumberland Beavers 50.
Division 2 Kobe Jones Man of the Match was Tom McCarthy
