An ADF player looks for an opening at the highly competitive Weary Dunlop Trophy. Photo by Bill Cunneen, Army newspaper

Go down with a fight
ASRU's valiant attempt to capture the Weary Dunlop Trophy

By Dan Wheelahan
RUGBY players from the ADF have given their all in an unsuccessful attempt to wrest the Weary Dunlop Trophy from the clutches of the combined Australian Universities side on May 21.

The contest, which has been held for the past five years, is yet to see an ADF team succeed in overthrowing the highly skilled universities side.

A mild sunny day meant perfect playing conditions for the game at Victoria Barracks, Sydney, with a small but lively crowd present to support both teams.

Unis opened the scoring in the third minute with a try by Matt Ferrari, who won a chase to the ball after a clever kick in the field by Unis winger Tim Mosey.

ASRU dominated possession in the early stages of the game and came close to scoring a number of times before relieving pressure by giving away several silly penalties.

Mid-way through the first half, Cfn Matt Fraser earned 10 minutes in the sin bin for a professional foul. From the ensuing scrum, Unis scored in the corner, taking the score to Unis 10-0.

ASRU got on the scoreboard in the 28th minute with a penalty goal to team captain LCpl Paul Yates.

The next two tries were scored by Unis with flanker Chris Sproats and outside centre Peter Playford crossing over to take the score to 24-3.

ASRU touched down with their first try right on half-time with a brilliant solo effort by LCpl Yates, taking the half-time score to 24-8.

Ferrari crossed for his second try shortly after the start of the second-half to take the score to 29-8.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, ASRU replied with a try to fullback Cfn Zane Mitchell to take the score to 29-13 to bring ASRU within striking distance of the trophy.

Cfn Fraser put in to score a consolation try in the dying stages of the match, but the full-time score of 41-22 kept the Weary Dunlop trophy well and truly in the hands of Australian Universities.

ASRU head coach Wg-Cmdr Graham King said the Universities win was well deserved.

"If we had scored a point for every ball that we dropped today, we would have won by 19," he said.

"We have closed the gap considerably given that we played a team of Sydney premier grade level players, seven of whom have Super 12 contracts.

"Our guys again now realise the speed of the game at this level and what they must do individually to maintain their skills to the level required to compete."

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