Sydney University Football Club claimed the 2018 Sydney Rugby Union minor premiership with a 66-21 win over Gordon at Sydney University Football Ground on Saturday.
The Students ran in 10 tries to finish the season proper full of running in preparation for the finals.
Sydney University headed the competition on 76 points, with Northern Suburbs (71), Warringah (69), Manly (68), Eastwood (62) and Eastern Suburbs (60) making up the top six.
The Students will meet Eastern Suburbs in a qualifying semi-final at Sydney University Football Ground on Saturday.
Sydney University broke a 32-year Shute Shield drought when they claimed the 2001 title. They then claimed six titles from 2005 to 2010 and another two in 2012-13, but have been Shieldless since then.
They racked up 688 points in 18 round this season while conceding 295 and earned 20 bonus points for their efforts.
That defensive record was the best in the competition and they’ll need to maintain it to bring the bacon this year.
Meanwhile, SUFC Second Grade finished the season proper in second place, Third Grade finished fourth and Fourth Grade finished second on the ladder.
Second Grade will meet Northern Suburbs and Third Grade will meet Manly in qualifying finals at Sydney University Football Ground on Saturday, while Fourth Grade will be up against Northern Suburbs at North Sydney Oval on Sunday.
In the Colts, Firsts finished second behind Warringah, Seconds finished third behind Randwick and Gordon, and Thirds finished second behind Eastwood.
Firsts will meet Southern Districts and Thirds will meet Randwick at Sydney University Football Ground on Sunday, while Seconds will meet Easts at Chatswood Oval on Sunday.
Sydney University also head the premier Sydney women’s competition for the Jack Scott Cup.
With one round of the competition proper to be played, the Students sit on 60 points, with Warringah (53), Parramatta (36) and Campbelltown (34) making up the top four.
Scoreboard
Sydney Premier Men’s competition – Round 18
First Grade – Shute Shield: Sydney University 66 (Thomas Horton, Lachlan Swinton, Mitch Whiteley, Jake Gordon, James Kane, Harry Potter, Tim Clements, Benjamin Carolan, William Cocker, Theo Strang tries; James Kane 8 goals) defeated Gordon 21 (Tobias Gukibau, Samuel Frankham, Kim Bateman tries; William Shirvington 3 goals) at Sydney University Football Ground on Saturday.
Second Grade – Colin Caird Shield: Sydney University 82 (Thomas Shaw 2, Eddy King 2, Sam Renton 2, Alex Batho, Callum McIntosh, Hugh Summerhayes, Daniel Calavassy, Sam Barclay, William Wennerbom tries; Sam Renton 7 goals, William Wennerbom 4 goals) defeated Gordon 10 (James Wilders-Leece 2 tries) at Sydney University Football Ground on Saturday on Saturday.
Third Grade – Henderson Shield: Sydney University 51 (Harrison Blake 3, Benjamin Carolan 2, William Ridley, Jack Stanford, Banjo Travers, Alexander MacDonald tries; William Wennerbom 8 goals) defeated Gordon 5 (Scott De Zooten try) at Sydney University Football Ground on Saturday.
Fourth Grade – Henderson Cup: Sydney University 48 (Edward L’Estrange 2, Tom McFayden 2, Luke Porter, Maxwell Hughes, Joshua Schwager, Thomas Gilbert tries; Joshua Schwager 3 goals, Thomas Gilbert goal) defeated Gordon 5 (Rob Stirzaker try) at Sydney University Football Ground on Saturday.
Colts
First Grade – W. McMahon Shield: Sydney University 39 (Ciaran Loh 2, Miteli Tuinakauvadra, Henry Robertson, Angus Chadwick, Jack Murray, Sione Taufui tries; Edward Renton 2 goals) defeated Gordon 24 (Milan Basson 2, Leo Bosch, William Bremner tries; Leo Bosch goal, Matthew Daintin goal) at Chatswood Oval on Saturday.
Second Grade – Shell Trophy: Gordon 36 (Hunta Campbell 3, William Mitchell, Hayden Kendall, Aidan Dowling tries; Oliver Clarke 3 goals) defeated Sydney University 19 (Oliver Harvison 3 tries; Max Robson goal) at Chatswood Oval on Saturday.
Third Grade – Bill Simpson Trophy: Sydney University 47 (Conor Grindal 2, Alex Simson 2, Finn McDonagh, Samuel Begbie, Hugo Mackenzie-Wood tries; Aidan Peek 6 goals) defeated Gordon 5 (Rory Burns try) at Chatswood Oval on Saturday.
Sydney Women’s Premier competition – Round 13
First Grade: Sydney University 28 defeated West Harbour 0 at St Luke’s Oval on Saturday.
