The scoreline didn’t truly indicate the closeness of the battle between the UTS Tigers and Sydney University Lions when they met at Blackmore Oval on Saturday.
If not for a few lucky bounces of the ball that led to run-away tries, the Lions would have been in line to win this game in the dying minutes. Sadly it was another story of some piggy-back penalties and back-breaking dropped balls that gave the Tigers good field position and a greater weight of possession and a 4-22 result.
The Lions started well again with the first 15 minutes of the game being a tussle of field position.
The back end of the half saw the Tigers gassed and the Lions were starting to carve out the middle of the big Tigers pack. A run-away try against the run of play just before half-time gave the Tigers an 18-6 lead at the break.
The Lions hit back with a try soon after the resumption and a kick tackle bust from Daniel Hicks was just as quickly taken away through error and further penalties.
Led by Adam Vrahnos and Elite Athlete Scholar, Marcus Pappas, the forwards matched it with the Tigers all day through some cutting tackles and gang-tackling defence.
Some shifty ball-movement between Chadwick scholar Jake Vrahnos and fullback Daniel Rowe produced a beautiful try up the left edge. Despite similar back-to-back defeats, the boys acknowledged the need to control the ball and focus on the little things, but were upbeat about their improvements and potential to win when they control their own play.
Daniel Hicks was voted Man of the Match this week by the players. “Hicksy” was devastating in attack and has lifted the boys throughout the season as a huge impact up front.
He has been able to string some solid games together and coach Luke Srama is hoping his impact carries through the finals.
The coach was positive about the camaraderie of the players and upbeat about the Lions ability to compete in the lead up to the finals.
The Lions play the top of the ladder NSW TAFE Polecats in the final round of the season. Come out to the beautiful Henson Park and watch Sydney University from the stands or the hill next Saturday, August 12, with a 1pm kick-off.
Scoreboard
NSW Tertiary Cup competition – Round 13
University of Technology Sydney 40 defeated Sydney University 22 (Daniel Rowe, Ashley Johnson, Toby Lei, Odyssey Laderas tries; Myles Fowler 2 goals, Max Linden-Smith goal).
