Sydney University’s gutsy 29-21 Shute Shield win over Warringah at Pittwater Rugby Park on Saturday helped lift the Students to the top of the Club Championship table with one round of the competition proper to be played.
Although the Students dropped Second Grade in a mail-biting 12-11 result on Saturday, they won every other grade and the three Colts fixtures to grab the Club Championship lead from Eastwood, who went down 20-13 to Randwick in their First Grade clash at Coogee Oval.
Eastwood’s loss saw Manly take over the lead in the Shute Shield on 72 points, with Eastwood (70), Southern Districts (61), Warringah (56), Sydney University (53) and Randwick (52) making up the top six.
The loss by the Woodies also saw Sydney University take the helm of the Club Championship ladder on 2733 points, from Eastwood on 2671 and Randwick on 2627.
And the intriguing last round in one of the tightest Shute Shields in years sees the Students host Northern Suburbs at No.1 Oval, while Eastwood host Warringah at T.G. Millner, Manly host Randwick at Manly Oval, and West Harbour host Southern Districts at Concord Oval.
Scoreboard
NSW Men’s Premier Rugby Union competition – Round 17
First Grade – Shute Shield: Sydney University 29 (Pat McCutcheon, Mitchell Whiteley, Greg Jeloudev, Jim Stewart tries; Angus Roberts 2 goals, pen goal) d Warringah 21 at Pittwater Rugby Park on Saturday. Points: Sydney University 5, Warringah 0.
Second Grade – Colin Caird Shield: Warringah 12 d Sydney University 11 (Mark O’Dare try; Byron Hodge 2 pen goals). Points: Warringah 4, Sydney University 1.
Third Grade – J.R. Henderson Shield: Sydney University 24 (George Hudd, Elliott Messara, James Nonu-Carling, Cameron Mason tries; Benn Cannon 2 goals) d Warringah 22. Points: Sydney University 5, Warringah 1.
Fourth Grade – J.R. Henderson Cup: Sydney University 47 (Cameron Mason 2, Byron Wicken, Chris O’Donnell, Edward L’Estrange, Joshua Friend Thomas Gilbert tries; Joshua Friend 6 goals) d Warringah 0. Points: Sydney University 5, Warringah 0.
Colts
First Grade – W. McMahon Memorial Shield: Sydney University 34 d Warringah 0. Points: Sydney University 5 Warringah 0.
Second Grade – Shell Trophy: Sydney University 67 d Warringah 0. Points: Sydney University 5, Warringah 0.
Third Grade: Bill Simpson Shield: Sydney University 33 d Warringah 10. Points: Sydney University 5, Warringah 0.
