Sydney University opened the 2018 Shute Shield rugby union season with a clean sweep over Parramatta, with First Grade overwhelming the Two Blues 36-12 at the Football Ground on Saturday.
Sydney University also won Second, Third and Fourth grades and First and Second grade Colts, with Parramatta forfeiting Third Grade Colts and Fifth Grade in the seniors.
The hosts welcomed the return of representative halfback Nick Phipps and it didn’t take him long to display his wares.
An early blindside snipe from the No.9 paved the way for giant second-rower Ratu Rotuilsolia to score in his debut for the club. His second-row partner Jack Sherratt, a Kiwi, was also on debut and they added plenty of grunt to the pack.
Phipps was pleased to make the most of that scenario and ended up with three of the Students’ six tries.
Outside centre Harry Potter, a Colts from last year who was also on debut, scored the other, while the scrum earned a penalty try when the visitors were reduced to 14 men with one player in the sin-bin.
Others playing their first game in the top grade for SUFC included flanker Brad Wilkin, five-eighth Daniel Poletto and inside-centre Will McDonnell.
While the pack provided plenty of good possession, the new-look backline shifted the ball well and the Students had racked up a 31-nil scoreline by halftime.
Phipps extended that to 36-nill soon after the break, but Parramatta his back with tries to outside-centre KJ Lam and winger Hayden Cole.
The Students will meet Penrith Emus at Nepean Rugby Park in Round 2 next Saturday.
Scoreboard
Sydney Men’s Premier Rugby Union competition – Round 1
First Grade – Shute Shield: Sydney University 36 (Pen try, Nick Phipps 3, Harry Potter, Ratu Rotuilsolia tries; James Kane 2 goals) defeated Parramatta 12 (KJ Lam, Hayden Cole tries; Hilton Gibbons goal) at Sydney University Football Ground on Saturday.
Second Grade – Colin Caird Shield: Sydney University 39 (Pen try, Matthew Dowsett 2, Hugh Summerhayes, Eddy King, Chris Ingate, Nathaniel Tamwoy tries; Ben Hughes goal) defeated Parramatta 10(Jordan McKoy, Jacob Delailoa tries)at Sydney University Football Ground on Saturday.
Third Grade – Henderson Shield: Sydney University 45 (Silas Lawther 2, Stuart Dinbar, Harrison Williams, Stewart Nutt, Declan Moore tries; Stewart 5 goals) defeated Parramatta 7 (Josh Chalmer try; Liam Tully goal)at Sydney University Football Ground on Saturday.
Fourth Grade – Henderson Cup: Sydney University 33 (Benjamin Carolan 3, William Wennerbom, Connor Farrell tries; William Wennerbom 3 goals) defeated Parramatta 14(Jope Boginivalu, Stirling Savona tries; Timothy Holliday 2 goals)at Sydney University Football Ground on Saturday.
Colts
First Grade – W. McMahon Shield: Sydney University 48 (Pen try, Mitieli Tuinakauvadra 3, Joshua Hardie, Riley Alcorn, Eddie Poolman, Strath Yeo tries; Joshua Hardie 3 goals) defeated Parramatta 15(Jack Fleetwood try; Joel Divertie goal, John Le’Ota pen goal)at Lidcombe Oval on Saturday.
Second Grade – Shell Trophy: Sydney University 66 (No scorers provided) defeated Parramatta 12(Jesse Robertson, Oliona Tamoua tries; Bret Owen goal) at Lidcombe Oval on.
Third Grade – Bill Simpson Shield: Sydney University 28 defeated Parramatta 0on forfeit at Lidcombe Oval on Saturday.
