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Rats v Marlins, Uni v Gordon, Randwick v Easts grudge games determine 1st Colts top dogs

There’s nothing like a rivalry round to get the blood pumping and the adrenaline racing. And in 1st Colts, these grudge games could be extra significant. Round four news, injuries and talking points

Warringah’s Riley Whitfeld and Sydney Uni player King Manu clash ion round three. Pictures: Julian Andrews
Warringah’s Riley Whitfeld and Sydney Uni player King Manu clash ion round three. Pictures: Julian Andrews
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The much anticipated rivalry round of Sydney Rugby Union 1st Colts could well determine the outright leader of the competition for the first time this season - or at least the two teams to chase.

Going into the fourth round only three clubs have yet to record a loss - Gordon, Manly and Warringah after unexpected early losses by both pre-season favourites Eastern Suburbs and Sydney Uni

Whoever wins the battle of the beaches between Warringah and Manly will remain undefeated this season.

Gordon will join them at the top of the table if they extend their undefeated run against Sydney Uni in another anticipated match.

“I’m not sure many would have picked us to be here,’’ Warringah Colts coach Dave Thomas said of his sides position in the top three.

Thomas wants his young guns to enjoy the anticipation of the match-up with the Marlins, not get carried away by the hype and stay composed during the match.

Warringah player Charlie Blank up-ends Sydney Uni player Nathan Fua. Pictures: Julian Andrews
Warringah player Charlie Blank up-ends Sydney Uni player Nathan Fua. Pictures: Julian Andrews

“It’s my first experience of a local derby. For us it’s about enjoying the occasion and staying cool, calm and collect and not getting carried away,’’ he said.

“There will be a lot of hype around it.’’

Warringah came from 21-5 down halftime to knock over Sydney Uni in a major win in round three.

Warringah player Nick Hill halted by Sydney Uni player Hamish Grover
Warringah player Nick Hill halted by Sydney Uni player Hamish Grover

“I think we just had the jitters. It was the first time on the No 1 at Rat Park and they knew we were up against quality opposition,’’ Thomas said.

“We had a good conversation about what we needed to do (at halftime) rather than being emotional.

“We did to Uni in the second half what they did to us in the first.’’

Warringah player Riley Whitfeld and Sydney Uni player King Manu
Warringah player Riley Whitfeld and Sydney Uni player King Manu

Gordon coach Joel Rivers said he and his charges are also looking forward to testing themselves against Sydney Uni in another big grudge game.

Gordon beat Uni in their 2024 encounters and are hoping to continue this in 2025.

The match will be the first real test of the season for Gordon who have now scored a whopping 211 points - a massive 67 points clear of Randwick with 144.

But Sydney Uni will be fired up after their shock loss to Warringah last round.

“Just what we don’t need,’’ Rivers laughed.

Rivers also lost fullback Freddy Powell to a broken arm last round.

Manly player Ethan Hart scoring.
Manly player Ethan Hart scoring.

The Randwick v Easts local derby will also impact the pointscore with both teams on two wins and a loss each.

These two old rivals come into the game off 40 plus wins in round three.

“It’s always a game we get up for,’’ Randwick coach Jack Harrison said.

Another game that will impact the ladder is the West Harbour v Two Blues battle which will leave one club celebrating their first win of the season.

West Harbour have scored just 36 points this seasons but had 187 scored against them.

The Two Blues have scored 26 and had 175 scored against them,

SYDNEY RUGBY UNION 1ST COLTS RD 3 RESULTS

Wildfires 33 v 24 Eastwood Newcastle Sports Ground.

Easts 43 v 12 Norths North Sydney Oval

Warringah 28 v 21 Sydney Uni Pittwater Rugby Park

Randwick 47 v 14 Two Blues Nagle Park

Gordon 48 v 5 West Harbour St Luke’s North

Souths 0 v 52 Manly Manly Oval

Manly player: Brody McLaren scoring against Souths. Picture: Julian Andrews:
Manly player: Brody McLaren scoring against Souths. Picture: Julian Andrews:

COLTS RD 3 WRAP

COLTS RD 2 WRAP

COLTS RD 1 WRAP

SYDNEY RUGBY UNION 1ST COLTS 2025 RD 2 RESULTS

Sydney Uni 19 v 17 Randwick St Andrews College

Easts 42 v 36 Wildfires Woollahra Oval-

Two Blues 12 v 50 Manly Eric Tweedale Stadium-

Warringah 52 v 7 West Harbour Concord Oval-

Eastwood 33 v 24 Souths Forshaw Rugby Park-

Gordon 5 v 7 Norths Chatswood Oval

Manly’s Albert Ingleton scoring in 1st Colts.
Manly’s Albert Ingleton scoring in 1st Colts.

SYDNEY RUGBY UNION 1ST COLTS 2025 RD 1 RESULTS

Manly 37 v 14 Norths, Manly Oval

Wildfires 34 v 38 Warringah, Newcastle Sports Ground

Two Blues 0 v 78 Gordon Eric Tweedale Stadium

West Harbour 24 v 87 Sydney Uni St John’s College Oval

Souths 31 v 25 Easts Woollahra Oval

Eastwood 12 v 80 Randwick, Nagle Park

SYDNEY RUGBY UNION 1ST COLTS 2025 RD 4 FIXTURE

Manly v Warringah Manly Oval 24/4/2025 7:45 PM

Eastwood v Norths Bon Andrews Oval (Nth SYDNEY #2) 24/4/2025 7:50 PM

Sydney Uni v Gordon Sydney Uni Football Ground 25/4/2025 11:45am

Souths v Wildfires Forshaw Rugby Park 25/4/2025 12pm

West Harbour v Two Blues Concord Oval 26/4/2025 12pm

Randwick v Easts Woollahra Oval 26/4/2025 12:40pm

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Amanda Lulham
Amanda LulhamSports Writer

Amanda Lulham loves all things on and in the water from sailing surfing and kayaking to canoeing, ironman, triathlon and diving as well as, netball, basketball, rugby and sport in general - and the people who play it at the highest level... (other fields)

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rats-v-marlins-uni-v-gordon-randwick-v-easts-grudge-games-determine-1st-colts-top-dogs/news-story/d9dd6284d756656d315ef15f16e63823