Eastwood extended their undefeated run this season to 13 by dismantling Sydney University 22-7 on Saturday afternoon at TG Milner field.
It was a classy performance by the Woodies, who repelled the Sydney University’s attack so many times throughout the match.
They came close to keeping the students scoreless; they had the commentary scrambling for statistics on the last time that has actually happened.
It wasn’t until the last few plays that the students were able to end almost 80 minutes of frustration with a try. It was just one of those wins where you think, ‘Wow, how can any side beat them?’
They have had their near misses. The Woodies trailed Northern Suburbs for most of their round 11 game but were able to pull of a try in the final 10 to win by one point. A similar scenario took place against West Harbour, but they were still able to leave with the points.
Eastwood have faced not only all the top teams but all of the other 11 teams in the competition and have walked away in victory every time.
At the current rate, Eastwood should be in line to win the 2011 season, but that’s just it; the rate should change with Super Rugby players about to come back for their clubs.
Knowing this, will Eastwood be able to continue with their success all the way to the end?
Mike G
Guest
Thanks Tristan, but I know who it is now!! We'll take it offline!
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Gents - The Roar would be happy to pass on email addresses if you both agree for a contact details swap. Cheers - Tristan.
Crashy
Guest
CH my friend - we go back to 95! Playing Lindfield this year? Div 1 looks to be surprisingly treating them harshly this year.
Mike G
Guest
Righto then, well you'd better give first name and second initial so I know who I'm talking too then!!
Crashy
Guest
Aha thought so. You were my captain at bobrufc.
Mike G
Guest
G'day Crashy, I'm sure there's a bunch of Mike G's out there, but if it's me, you would've played footy at either BOBRUFC or Lindfield RC. Cheers MG
Crashy
Guest
MikeG - would love to know which Subbies club you play for? have a feeling I have played with you before... well I did play with a Mike G for a few years. I too used ( still play a game or 2 a year) to play subbies but now watch the Shute Shiled and love it - its so semi pro - i hope it stays that wasy
mudskipper
Guest
Nic White scrumhalf at the Woodies is on fire... crisp sharp passes on target, he put many players through on the weekend. Woodies defence was outsatnding. It was a memorable rugby afternoon in the sun at TG Milner... Uni were ordinary...
Mike G
Guest
Being a subbies player, I usually miss the Shute Shield but got to see it this week...and how good was it?? Cracking weather, very healthy crowd in & 2 top sides going at it...The Woodies were super impressive in holding out the students, so it'll be interesting to see how the returning stars will impact on these 2 sides and others...It's a good base to work from!! I also read that 5000 turned up at Rat park to watch Cipriani etc...wow, great news for club footy Now, just got to fix the western suburbs problems and all will be sweet!
Pablo
Guest
What a great afternoon! The biggest crowd for a home & away match in a very long time. Sure, it has been said that it wasn't a pretty match, but for the true believers, this was better than sex (well, almost). The second half really demonstrated that the Woodies have some true grit... many other teams would have capitulated after the relentless Student onslaught, and the fact that Uni scored their only points with less than a minute left in the game, shows Eastwood have real strength of character. Much has been said that it will all change when the Super players come back. Two points here: (1) Eastwood still have enough of their own to come back, and I guess it all depends on who is permitted to play club footy in this World cup year... at the very best, we could hope for Robinson, Alexander, Turner, Hand, Dunning, Fitzpatrick if he repairs, Stannard? in addition to those who did play on Saturday, who had also been called up for Super footy.. Perrett, Alcock, White, Badger. (2) Even though he was not a Super player this year, I would not swap John Grant for any other winger, anywhere. Years ago, i used to think that watching the Miller brothers in full cry alone was worth the admission fee to Millner. Same with Grant. When Mitchell was injured for the Waratahs, he should have been the next man picked. Happily for the Woods, he wasn't. Similarly with Ben Batger... he created the space for Eastwood to score their three tries and sink the Students. GO THE WOODIES.
Ray
Guest
As a long time Woodies' supporter, it's very gratifying to see them having one of their best starts to the season in living memory, but I'm sure that Coaches John Manenti and Stu Woodhouse are keeping the boys' feet firmly planted on the ground and not allowing them to get too far ahead of themselves. They have scraped home with a couple narrow wins, but that is testament to the mental toughness of this team, when with minutes to go when all seemed lost, they somehow got over the line to take the points. There seems to be a prevailing view that Sydney University only have to turn up with their Super Rugby stars (excluding Wallabies) to take the title again, but I wouldn't be so quick to jump to that conclusion. Eastwood also have up to 5 Super Rugby players, including 4 forwards, to yet make their presence felt and that doesn't include likely Wallabies Benn Robinson, Ben Alexander and Lachie Turner. Their problem is going to be who do they replace, because all of the current team deserve to be there till the end.
RickG
Guest
I finally got to my first game of the year and I'm glad I did. What a cracker; a real arm wrestle played at finals intensity. It didn't make for attractive play but the preriod of about 15 mins in the 2nd half when uni were camped on the Woodies' line but kept out was inspirational. Great, vocal crowd too. I'm sure eveyone knew this was the real test of the season. Great advertisement for club footy. Of course, come the finals it'll be a very different uni side. Eastwood will have a few Super rugby players back too, so we'll see.
sledgeandhammer
Guest
Great game, great crowd.