After a bye in Round 12, Round 13 saw 3rd Colts arrive at St Paul's College Oval looking to kick off the post-split stage of the season with a good performance against the Students. With player numbers depleted through injury and boys away a squad of merely 16 faced up to the might of the once-eaten competition leaders at their home paddock. A tough assignment indeed. The boys did their best to mentally prepare in the tiny changing room with a particularly fiery team talk.

From kick off, the toughness of the assignment was immediately apparent with plenty of pressure being applied by Uni eventually leading to the game's opening try that with the conversion took Uni to an early 7 - 0 lead. With the makeshift scrum under pressure the signs looked ominous. However the boys responded quickly and a break by Jack Hale was followed up by good support and numbers at the ensuing breakdown with Hugh Tomkins being bundled over the line to score. Lachlan Viney converted to make the score 7 - 7. Norths defence was outstanding, soaking up plenty of pressure and taking out the Uni big boppas low, cutting out the opportunity for them to use their bulk. The lineout was working excellently and Norths had their moments but often squandered the opportunity to gain more possession by failing to make touch from penalties on numerous occasions. At half time the score remained 7 - 7.

The talk at half time focused on making sure touch kicks found their spot and to ensure that the boys worked hard to make sure they played out the full game. We had them in the first game at half time but let it slip in the second half. This could not be repeated.

The second half began with Norths absorbing more pressure from Uni but the defence was again brilliant, repelling numerous Uni raids. Then a break by Jack Hale and Hugh Tomkins took the ball deep into opposition territory leading to a penalty in kickable range. Lachlan Viney duly obliged with the points to make it 10 - 7 to Norths. After again absorbing pressure, Norths ventured back into Uni territory and gained another kickable penalty and an extra man as the offending player was sent for a 10 minute rest. Viney's kick connected well but just missed the right hand upright.

With Uni increasingly frustrated at their inability to break through the Norths defensive line they eventually won an easily kickable penalty but elected to run it and were once again repelled. And repelled they would be until the end with Norths grinding out a memorable 10-7 victory. An immense performance by all 16 young men and in particular the forwards (marshaled by the ever vocal Cagey) who took on their larger opponents brilliantly and owned the breakdown and lineout (with Fizz in particular soaring through the air) and after a shaky start held up well in the scrums. The win sends out a big signal to the comp and means Norths 3rds remain 4th on the ladder with their destiny in their own hands.

Sydney University 7

1 try, 1 con

Norths 10

Try: Tomkins
Con: Viney
Pen: Viney

Best & Fairest points:
Jack Fizelle 3, George Donnelly 2, Christian Cage 1