Old Collegians delivered an emphatic win over fellow finals contenders Southern Suburbs while Adelaide University gave reigning premiers Brighton an early scare in an action-packed Round 14.
Old Colls’ 52-7 victory at Souths was easily their best performance to date with the visitors racking up a bonus point before halftime in an eight-try rout at AA Bailey Reserve.
The surname “Ormsby” kept scorers busy with Lincoln Ormsby bagging a first-half double and Trent Ormsby bookending the win for coach Alex Rokobaro with his side’s first and final five-pointers.
“Everything just seemed to click (on Saturday) – Souths at Souths is a tough place to play and they’ve been playing some great footy so we’re delighted with how the guys performed,” Rokobaro said.
“The players and coaches have been working hard since January, so it’s great to see a result like this come to fruition.
“Obviously for us a big victory in the back end of the season means nothing unless you can back it up in finals (so) hopefully the boys can accept that challenge and we can rip into the pointy end of the season.”
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Posted by Old Collegians Rugby Club on Sunday, July 30, 2023
The result sees Old Colls’ equal Souths nine wins with a game in hand and maintain a 12-point gap on fifth-placed Elizabeth, who kept their faint finals hopes alive with a 66-7 victory over Woodville.
Meanwhile Adelaide Uni’s hot start at Waite Oval couldn’t stop Brighton from recording a 12th consecutive win in 2023.
Two quickfire tries from Rafe Liebers and William Siao delighted home fans as the winless students posted an unlikely 14-0 lead before the Tigers roared to life with nine unanswered tries, while Burnside flexed their attacking muscles in the round's final premiership clash, defeating Port Adelaide 53-5 win to maintain outright second on the competition ladder behind Brighton.
In other grades, Souths’ unbeaten streak in the women’s competition stretched to 11 with a thumping 72-0 victory over Old Colls – courtesy of hat-tricks to Frances Afeaki and Tamikha McNab – while Barossa and Burnside earned tight wins against Onkaparinga and Port respectively.
In Reserve Grade, top three outfits Brighton, Old Colls and Barossa all registered wins with the same three clubs also notching third Grade victories.
