Sydney University are two games away from a seventh consecutive Sydney premier grade rugby title after finishing the competition proper in second place, with a 45-7 disposal of Warringah at Pittwater Rugby Park on Saturday.
Fresh from being named Australian Sevens player of the year at the John Eales Medal awards night held midweek, fullback Bernard Foley crossed for three tries in the comprehensive win that completed a clean sweep over the Rats in grade and Colts.
Eastwood wrapped up the Shute Shield minor premiership for 2011, dropping just one game in the 22 rounds to finish on 101 points. Sydney University finished on 84 points, with Manly (81) Eastern Suburbs (71), Randwick (65) and Northern Suburbs (62) making up the top six.
Manly will meet Northern Suburbs and Eastern Suburbs will play Randwick in elimination semi-finals this Saturday, while Eastwood and Sydney University will have a week off before entering the semi-finals the following weekend.
In a finish reminiscent of 2010, when the Students won 13 games on the trot – including three sudden-death finals matches – to collect a sixth successive premiership, the 2011 First XV have won 12 of their past 13 matches since.
The streak includes wins over Warringah (50-12) and Parramatta (65-7), a loss to Eastwood (22-7) and wins over Eastern Suburbs (23-19), West Harbour (37-15), Penrith (62-7), Norths (57-20), Southern Districts (52-20), Gordon (81-12), Randwick (65-17), Manly (31-14)and Warringah.
With all grades and the three Colts teams through to the finals, SUFC has won an eighth successive Club Championship and a seventh successive Colts Club Championship.
Sydney University Second Grade will also have a week off after finishing second to Eastwood on the Colin Caird Shield ladder. Manly, Southern Districts, Eastern Suburbs and Randwick make up the top six.
Sydney University Third Grade won the minor premiership in the Henderson Shield, finishing a commanding 11 points ahead of second-placed Randwick, with Eastern Suburbs, Manly, West Harbour and Eastwood making up the top six.
Eastern Suburbs Fourth Grade won the Henderson Cup minor premiership, with Sydney University, West Harbour, Randwick, Northern Suburbs and Southern Districts making up the top six.
Sydney University also collected minor premierships in First and Second Grade Colts, while Third Grade Colts finished fourth behind Eastwood, Randwick and Manly.
This Saturday’s grade elimination semi-finals will be played at Randwick, with the semi-finals on Saturday week scheduled for T.G. Millner Field and the grand final at Concord Oval on September 24.
Scoreboard
Sydney Grade competition – Round 22
First Grade: Sydney University 45 (Bernard Foley 3, Sam Roberson, Pat McCutcheon, Michael Hodge, Nick Phipps tries; Daniel Halangahu 5 goals) d Warringah 7 (Ed Doyle try; Hamish Angus goal) at Pittwater Rugby Park.
Second Grade: Sydney University 34 (Jack De Guingand, Nick Stirzaker, Angus Roberts, Oli Gresham, Michael Gallinenti tries; Dave Dillon 2 goals, pen goal, Angus Roberts goal) d Warringah 20 (Salesi Manu 2 tries; M Hasty 2 goal, 2 pen goals).
Third Grade: Sydney University 38 (Connor Foley 2 Hugo Dessens 2, Josh Koops, Joe Horn-Smith tries; Jack Macklin 3 goals, Nick Edwards goal) d Warringah 5 (Mavoni Latu try).
Fourth Grade: Sydney University 50 (Toby L’Estrange 2, James Riches, Scott Stumbles, Cam Lawrence, James Cameron, Ned Mullany, Dan Farrell tries; Cam Lawrence 5 goals) d Warringah 12 ( Simon Brocklehurst, Scott Kieley tries; Lolo Holani goal).
Colts
First Grade: Sydney University 49 (6 tries) d Warringah 12.
Second Grade: Sydney University 83 (13 tries) d Warringah 0.
Third Grade: Sydney University 20 d Warringah 17.
