A Daniel Halangahu penalty goal three minutes after the final siren allowed Sydney University to steal a 26-23 win over Northern Suburbs in their Shute Shield clash at North Sydney Oval on Saturday.
Returning from NSW Waratahs duties, five-eighth Halangahu scored 16 of Sydney University’s points with a try, three penalty goals and a conversion in a clash that was fought tooth and nail from start to finish.
Not to be outdone, his opposite Dave Harvey, also returning from the Super ranks, rattled up 18 points from a try, three penalty goals and two conversions.
An early blindside foray from the Student resulted in winger Tom Kingston posting the first points with a try in the corner after a dash down the right flank. Halangahu landed the conversion from the sideline.
Harvey set up his side’s first try when he pounced on a loose ball and streaked away before sending winger Corey Brown over in the corner. Harvey converted for a 7-7 scoreline.
Halangahu broke the deadlock when he took a tap penalty and strolled over untouched after the Students starved Norths of possession for a long period and earned a penalty close to the line. He missed the conversion but the Student seemed in control with the clock ticking down on the first half.
Once again it was Harvey who came to the rescue, intercepting a pass from his opposite on the stroke of half-time and racing 50 metres to score under the posts. His conversion gave the hosts a 14-12 advantage.
He slotted two more penalties in the first 10 minutes of the second half as the Students turned over possession at will.
When the hosts lost prop Nick Lah to the sin bin, Sydney University finally retained some possession set up camp in Norths’ quarter. A precision passing backline move resulted in centre James McMahon scoring the visitor’s third try. Halangahu missed the conversion but slotted a penalty soon after for a 20-20 scoreline with 20 minutes on the clock.
When University prop Jeremy Tilse was penalised for slowing down play at the ruck, Harvey responded with yet another penalty and a 23-20 advantage to the hosts.
But the Students retaliated and with possession and position for Halangahu to once again level proceedings with a penalty goal.
When the full-time siren rang a Northern Suburbs attack came unstuck and the Students regained possession. They systematically worked their way towards Norths’ line and when Norths second-rower Rory Walton earned the wrath of the referee, Halangahu stepped up to the plate and nailed the winning points.
It was a tough way to win, but an even tougher way to lose for Norths.
Scoreboard
Sydney Grade competition – Round 13
First Grade – Shute Shield: Sydney University 26 (Daniel Halangahu, Michael Hodge, Tom Kingston tries; Daniel Halangahu goal, 3 pen goals) d Northern Suburbs 23 (Corey Brown, David Harvey tries; David Harvey 2 goals, 3 pen goals) at North Sydney Oval.
Second Grade – Colin Caird Shield: Sydney University 55 (Dane McCarthy 2,Pieter van der Merwe 2, David Fong, Dan Kelly, Mark O’Dare, Willie Du Plessis tries; Brad Hodge 5 goals, David Dillon goal, David Fong pen goal) d Northern Suburbs 31 (Lachlan Porteous 2, Will Miller, Trent Lake tries; Alex Lavender 2 goals, Sam Myers 2 goals, pen goal).
Third Grade – Henderson Shield: Northern Suburbs 14 (Ben Borg, Anthony Shortis tries; Henry Fisher 2 goals) d Sydney University 11 (Guy Millar try; Cameron Lawrence 2 pen goals).
Fourth Grade – Henderson Cup: Sydney University 13 (Ben Cannon try; Ben Cannon goal, pen goal, Matt Armour pen goal) d Northern Suburbs 3 (Scott Barnes pen goal).
Colts
First Grade: Northern Suburbs 22 d Sydney University 20.
Second Grade: Sydney University 24 (4 tries) d Northern Suburbs 10.
Third Grade: Northern Suburbs 10 d Sydney University 7.
