18.08.2008 – Graham Croker
Sydney University wrapped up the 2008 Shute Shield minor premiership with a solid 42-14 win over Warringah on Saturday night, in the first rugby competition match played under lights at No.1 Oval.
Although there are two competition rounds to play – the Students are at home to Randwick next Saturday and away to Southern Districts the following week – the minor premiership is already safely in Sydney University’s hands for the second year in a row.
Sydney University sit on 86 competition points, with Gordon (74), Randwick (71), Eastern Suburbs (68), Warringah (62) and West Harbour (59) making up the top six.
Although Warringah scored the first points – through a try to inside-centre Brock Mcgarity after 90 seconds – the Students dominated the rest of the match to lead 21-7 at the break and repeat that performance in the second half.
Fullback Nathan Trist continued his good form of recent weeks to grab two tries, while winger Ed Jenkins and centre Mitch Inman also grabbed five-pointers. The Students also earned a penalty try.
Five-eighth Daniel Halangahu’s 17-point haul from four conversions and three penalty goals took his season’s tally to 139.
Lower grades
Second Grade’s 15-10 loss to Warringah sees them slip to 7th place on the Colin Caird Shield competition ladder, one point behind Randwick, who they meet at the weekend.
Eastern Suburbs lead Second Grade on 88 points, with Eastwood (80), Gordon (71), Manly (68), Northern Suburbs (62) and Randwick (61) making up the top six.
The news for Sydney University is better in Third and Fourth grades, who are both assured of making the finals.
Gordon head the J.R. Henderson Shield Third Grade competition on 89 points, with Manly (76), Randwick (70), Sydney University (69), Eastwood (67) and Eastern Suburbs (55) making up the top six.
Randwick lead the J.R. Henderson Cup Fourth Grade competition on 97 points, with Sydney University (82), Manly (72), Gordon (59), West Harbour (57) and Northern Suburbs (56) making up the top six.
Colts
Sydney University has wrapped up minor premierships in each of the three Colts grades in their quest to defend their 2007 titles.
And they’re also wrapped up the Colts Club Championship with two rounds remaining.
First Grade Colts scored 10 tries in their 61-10 disposal of Warringah on Saturday. Second Grade also ran in 10 tries in their 56-7 win, while Thirds earned a bonus point with four tries in their 22-nil win.
Shute Shield – Round 20
First Grade: Sydney University 42 (Nathan Trist 2, Ed Jenkins, Mitch Inman, pen try; Daniel Halangahu 4 goals, 3 pen goals) d Warringah 14 (Brock Mcgarity, Pat McCabe tries; Mark Gerrard 2 goals) played at Sydney University No.1 under lights.
Second Grade: Warringah 15 (Morgan Basham, Doug Dalziel tries; Tristan Stanley goal, pen goal) d Sydney University 10 (Julian James try; Jeremy Atkin goals, pen goal).
Third Grade: Sydney University 21 (Michael Woodward, Matt Schwager, Cian McNaughton tries; Jamie Whelan 3 goals) d Warringah 0.
Fourth Grade: Sydney University 53 (Andrew Battishall 2, Timothy Wonders, Elion Power, Hugh Cateron, C Sorbi, Trevor Walsh, Barry Fomai, Digby Beaumont tries; C Sorbi 4 goals) D Warringah 3 (Mark Thompson pen goal).
Meldrum Cup: Clovelly 44 d Sydney University 0.
Colts
First Grade: Sydney University 62 (10 tries) d Warringah 10.
Second Grade: Sydney University 56 (10 tries) d Warringah 7.
Third Grade: Sydney University 22 (4 tries) d Warringah 0.
Women’s Championship
Sydney University 49 d Canterbury 5.
