The Students ventured to Nepean Rugby Park in Round Two and came away with a 97-0 victory over a heavily outgunned but always gallant Penrith Emus.
Only five minutes had elapsed when University fullback Tim Clements took the final pass from a backline sweep to score in the western corner. University’s young but fast backs were focused on spreading the ball wide at every opportunity. Penrith had no counter to University’s high tempo play . The mobile pack, led by Dave McDuling, was shunting the Emus in the set pieces to provide a good platform for the backs.
New first graders winger Guy Porter and second rower Ratu Rotuisolia continued their good form by running the ball from every position, often cutting swathes through the opposition.
The first half ended when flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny, backing up inside the five metre area, scored the final try for the first half. It was a hot afternoon and the ten minute break was a welcome respite to quench ones thirst.
The second half was a mirror image of the first half with rapid University ball movements. Soon the scoreline had surpassed 62-0 and there was still thirty minutes left in the game.
Coaches Taylor and Horn-Smith, at 69-0, saw their charges deserving a breather and a number of replacements came on. These reserves continued the all out attack, with half back Daniel Calavassy and winger Eddy King bagging a number of tries. Scoreline late in the half was 90-0. To crack the ton was a thought, but when replacement five eighth Stuart Dunbar scored a converted try, the match finally ended at 97-0 after time had run out.
A win such as this was handy for the Students ladder position and overall club championship. But it will be all hands on deck next week when University host the always dangerous and unpredictable West Harbour Pirates.
In the other matches on the day, second grade won 137-7, third grade had a 98-5 victory and fourth grade won, 87-0. The three colts teams had results against Penrith that were just as impressive. First colts claimed a 90-7 victory, second colts won, 67-0 and third colts came away with a 33-5 victory.
All the teams will be in action this weekend against West Harbour with all grade games to be played at Sydney Uni Football Ground (Oval no.2) and colts will play away at Concord Oval. The women will also take to the field on Saturday aginst West Harbour following the first grade match at Sydney Uni Football Ground following a round one,38-12, victory over Parramatta.
