Talkin Sport - Champions start Tooheys New Shute Shield in style

Sydney University have launched their Tooheys New Shute Shield defence in emphatic fashion with a 34-16 victory at Manly Oval.

The Students dominated the match, however Manly did well to hang for long periods and were still within striking distance in the closing stages.

In the end however the seasoned professionalism of Uni shone through in their five tries to one victory.

University struck first with a penalty to Dan Kelly and a converted try to Laurie Weeks, however Adam D’Arcy hit back with a penalty of his own to leave the Students in front 10-3 midway through the first half.

Nathan Trist and Hayden Bushell both went close to scoring for the Students, however Manly bundled them both into touch within inches of the sideline with great desperation.

Another penalty to D’Arcy in the closing stages left Uni with a 10-6 half time lead and a great second half in stall for the fans at Manly Oval.

Uni’s long-awaited second try came just minutes into the second half when Jono Jenkins broke away against the run of play from well within his own territory. He linked with fellow back rower and HSBC Junior Waratah Pat McCutcheon on halfway, with the flanker streaking away on a 50m run to the line and a 17-6 buffer.

D’Arcy quickly closed the gap to 17-9, however when David Lyons made his first appearance since breaking his leg at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, the resolve of the Students picked up another gear.

Lyons was involved twice in the lead-up to Bushell’s try in the 60th minute, and when captain Tim Davidson crossed in the 67th, the Students had notched up a bonus point.

Manly’s Pat Maile scored the Marlins’ first try with around 10 minutes to go, and at 27-16 they weren’t without hope if they could score next.

University cranked it up another gear as both packs tired in the closing stages, and when replacement half Nathan Sievert capitalised on the weary Manly forwards defensive lapse the Students put the game out of doubt, 34-16.

Sydney University 34 (Laurie Weeks, Pat McCutcheon, Hayden Bushell, Tim Davidson, Nathan Sievert tries; Dan Kelly 3 cons, pen) d Manly 16 (Pat Maile try; Adam D’Arcy 3 pens, con) at Manly Oval. Half-Time Sydney University 10-6. Referee: Ian Smith

EASTERN SUBURBS 50 d GORDON 13 at Woollahra Oval

Eastern Suburbs, keen to go one better in 2008 after finishing runners up last year, went straight to the top of the table with a 50-13 victory over Trevor Allan Cup champions Gordon, at Woollahra Oval.

Catchpole Medallist Gavin Debartolo crossed twice on his way to a 14 point haul, while Tom Azar also picked up a double for Easts.

With HSBC Waratahs Head Coach Ewen McKenzie a keen spectator at the match, Waratahs scrumhalf Luke Burgess picked up a five-pointer in a strong performance which will keep him in the selection frame for higher honours.

Eastern Suburbs 50 (Tom Azar 2, Gavin Debartolo 2, Tom Egan, Tim McGann, Luke Burgess, Pat Smith tries; Ben Ward 3 cons, Gavin Debartolo 2 cons) d Gordon 13 (Jared Barry try; Dave Harvey con, pen, drop) at Woollahra Oval. Half-Time: Eastern Suburbs 19-6). Referee: Nathan Pearce

NORTHERN SUBURBS 50 d PENRITH 19 at Nepean Rugby Park

Northern Suburbs scored eight tries to three to run away with a 50-19 victory over Penrith at Nepean Rugby Park, with their big guns having a big say in the final outcome.

David Bond scored a double for Norths, with Brumbies prop Ben Alexander and HSBC Junior Waratahs Chris Thomson, Al Manning and Corey Brown also crossing for tries.

Penrith were shut out in the first half, however showed spirit to come back in the second forty and finished just one try short of a bonus point.

Northern Suburbs 50 (David Bond 2, Al Manning, Ben Alexander, Chris Thomson, Will Hunt, Steven Evans, Corey Brown tries; Todd Sly 5 cons) d Penrith 19 (Sia'a Taveuveu, Patrick Mecuri, Campbell Sione tries; Jono Rolfe 2 cons) at Nepean Rugby Park. Half-Time: Northern Suburbs 17-0. Referee: Damien Mitchelmore

EASTWOOD 36 d PARRAMATTA 15 at T.G. Millner Field

Eastwood have opened their 2008 campaign with a bonus point victory over Parramatta at T.G. Millner Field.

Jesse Leota scored a brace of tries as the Woodies ran away with the match in the second half.

Parramatta did well to restrict the scoreline to 10-all at the break, however the flexibility and durability of the Eastwood XV proved too much under the new law variations.

Eastwood 36 (Jesse Leota 2, Hugh Perrett, Filipo Toala, John Grant tries; Ben Batger 3 cons, pen, Barney Wood con) d Parramatta 15 (Andrew Cox, Andrew Brown tries; Josh Weeks con, pen) at T.G. Millner Field. Half-time: 10-all). Referee: James Scholtens

WEST HARBOUR 32 d WARRINGAH 28 at Pit*****er Rugby Park

West Harbour pulled off the biggest upset of the opening round with a 32-28 victory over Warringah in an entertaining match at Pit*****er Rugby Park.

While wind was never a major factor in the match, 46 of the 60 points in the match were scored down one end in the seven-try encounter.

West Harbour led 26-8 at the break and looked to have Warringah on the ropes after crossing for four first half tries.

The Rats hit back strongly in the second forty for a grandstand finish, however even an 18-point haul from Clint Eadie couldn’t get Warringah more than one bonus point from the match.

West Harbour 32 (James King, Steve Massey, Rory Sidey, John Sinisa tries; Ben Martin 3 cons, 2 pens) d Warringah 28 (Sam Harris, Clint Eadie, Pat McCabe tries; Clint Eadie 3 pens, 2 cons) at Pit*****er Rugby Park. Half-Time: West Harbour 26-8. Referee: Andrew Lees

RANDWICK 18 d SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 13 at Forshaw Park

Randwick scored the only try of the second half in a come from behind victory over Southern Districts at Forshaw Park.

A first half try to Terry Autagavia helped the Rebels to a 10-5 lead at the break, however Ratu Nasiganivani crossed twice in each half to give Randwick the edge in a low-scoring encounter.

Southern Districts come away from the match with a bonus point, however after so many close losses in 2007 will be hoping they can turn around their fortunes in coming weeks.

Randwick 18 (Ratu Nasiganiyavi 2 tries; Toby Browne 2 pens, conv) d Southern Districts 13 (Terry Autagavia try; Matt Adair 2 pens, conv) at Forshaw Park. Half-Time: Southern Districts 10-5. Referee: Daniel Cheever