Shute Shield 2020: Drummoyne’s Hugh Bokenham makes Sydney Uni rugby debut
It was 10 minutes this rising star of rugby union will never forget and which teenager Hugh Bokenham admits came as a bit of a surprise.
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It was short but very, very sweet.
Inner west teenager Hugh Bokenham said making his Shute Shield debut for Sydney Uni in the opener of the COVID-19 delayed season will be a cherished memory for a long time.
Bokenham, who turned 19 on Monday, received an early birthday present from coach Michael Hodge on Saturday when sent in against Warringah at Rat Park in the 2019 grand final replay.
“My debut was pretty good. It was only 10 minutes but one of the best moments I’ve had in rugby,” said the young Student and former St Joseph’s first XV captain who won the Matthew Street Shield in 2019 for his performance at the Australian Schools championships.
“I got a turnover right at the end of the game and everyone got around me. It was pretty special.
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“We had the trial the week before so really this was only my second weekend with Sydney Uni. I was pretty nervous.”
Sydney University ran out 36-27 winners in the match of the round where Nicholas Champion de Crespigny, Jack Calman, Henry Clunies-Ross, Connor O’Shea and William McDonnell all scored tries.
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Part of the Junior Wallabies squad which attended a camp prior to COVID-19 restrictions widely affecting Australian sport, Bokenham is studying Liberal Arts and Science at Sydney University.
He was also part of the Waratahs under 20 program and the Australian schoolboys team which beat New Zealand on tour last year.
“The goal is the Waratahs and the Wallabies, that’s the dream,’’ he said.
“I’ve always loved rugby. Mum and dad used to make jokes about how I wore my football jersey to bed all the time when I was five or six.’’
Sydney Uni beat Warringah 36-27 in round one and now face Manly at home this Saturday.
Manly go into the match off a 28-5 defeat of the Western Sydney Two Blues.
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