Eastwood out of title contention after loss to Uni

Eastwood’s quest for three straight Shute Shield titles has come to an end with a tough 41-32 loss to Sydney University.

Sydney University celebrate the winning try over Eastwood. Picture: AJF Photography

Eastwood’s quest for three straight Shute Shield titles has come to an end with a tough 41-32 loss to Sydney University.

The defeat marks the first time in four years the club hasn’t reached the grand final and the club’s worst result since 2008.

After scraping into the qualifying final, the Woods showed no hesitation in taking it to the minor premiers from the opening siren.

The visitors got the ball rolling almost immediately with an unconverted try just four minutes into the game.

However, the Students took the opportunity to demonstrate their championship caliber as they scored and converted a try of their own just four minutes later.

The physical contest continued throughout the half with Eastwood taking a 29-14 lead into halftime behind a dominant showing from their forwards.

Sydney University roared back to life in the second stanza however, taking back the lead with three quick tries.

GIRLS BIG ON HEART

OLIVIA A 'NATURAL'

Although a penalty to Eastwood kept the visitors in the hunt, another converted try and a penalty to the Students before fulltime would officially end the Woods’ Cinderella story.

Eastwood General Manager Robert Frost said he hopes the defeat doesn’t mark the end of an era for the club.

“I think it’s fair to say we over-achieved a bit last year so we were expecting to slip down,” he said.

“In the off-season we lost our captain, fullback and our coach with the Midas touch.

“There were some times when we should have won but we struggled to reach our potential consistently.”

It’s not all misery for Eastwood however with the club’s second, third and fourth grade sides all qualifying for the semi-finals on Saturday.

Second grade will play at Sydney University while Forshaw Rugby Park will host third and fourth grade.

Originally published as Eastwood out of title contention after loss to Uni