Photo credit: AJF Photography
On a cold but sunny Saturday at Lidcombe Oval, University overcame a stubborn Parramatta Two Blues to emerge 29-8 victors.
Sweeping ball movements were limited. When they did arrive two tries were scored to University’s winger Eddy King and hooker Tom Horton in the south western corner for a 10-0 scoreline. That was the entire points scored for the first half. University were dominating the set pieces and were recycling consistently. But somehow a knock on, forward pass, crooked throw or a good tackle stopped continuity. A frustrating half to say the least.
The afternoon was becoming cold and the second half was back to the drawing board for University. Parramatta was not gaining field position but they were also thwarting the Students to mount anything meaningful. A lucky five metre scrum did allow University to unleash their set piece for a penalty try. 17-0 was the score and a further try through some clever backing up aroused the crowds attention that just maybe University were about to unleash.
But this wish failed to materialise. The match was extremely stop start with little flowing passages. Parramatta kicked a penalty and scored a try to reflect a 22-8 score. This probably would have been the final score but five eighth Stuart Dunbar anticipated a ball thrown in the Parramatta quarter to intercept and score under the posts for a final score of 29-8.
A valuable bonus point victory to say the least, but not ranked as one of the classic battles.
University have a bye next week and the week after trek to the Shire for a battle with the Southern District Rebels at Forshaw Park Sylvania Waters.
Try’s: T. Horton (1), T. Strang (1), S. Dunbar (1), E. King (1)
Conversions: S. Dunbar (1)
