Adelaide University and Woodville played out an enthralling 20-all draw in RUSA's Round 5 livestreamed Premier Grade clash while 2025 ladder leaders Old Collegians continued to impress.
Wasps goalkicker Lindsay Adcock was unable to sink a late penalty attempt as Uni and Woodville scrapped their way to a 80-minute deadlock following the visitors' promising start at Waite Oval.
Winger Kodai Namba bagged an early double for Wasps but Uni clawed their way back from a 10-5 deficit with William Siao's try after oranges and a Will Thomas penalty goal putting the hosts ahead 13-10 after 54 minutes.
Adock hit back midway through the second half half, stepping off the right foot and inside Uni's defence to score beside the uprights and converting to put Wasps back in front 17-13.
An Adock penalty goal looked to have wrapped up proceedings at 20-13 but Uni had other ideas, regathering a deep restart and setting up camp on Woodville's try line.
The Wasps clung on desperately in defence despite conceding a yellow card before a tighthead scrum finally turned turned the tide as Uni backrower Tim Cooper picked up from the base and rumbled over for his side's third try.
Ben Onions' conversion levelled the scores at 20-all but there was late drama to come as Wasps earned a penalty to give Adock the chance to step up for an eleventh-hour penalty goal attempt that sailed wide.
In other Premier Grade fixtures, Old Colls extended their unbeaten start to 2025 with hat-trick centre Tevita Manukeu spearheading a 77-point thrashing of Southern Suburbs at AA Bailey Reserve.
Brighton also banked maximum points from their Round 5 clash with the Rams, emerging 31-5 victors at the Barossa Rugby Precinct.
Meanwhile Souths, Woodville and Burnside continued their fast start to the 2025 RUSA Women's season with bonus-point wins over Port Collegians, Adelaide Uni and Barossa/Brighton respectively.
Jade McAskill's six-try showing for Souths was a highlight with Wasps' Bethany Chalmers and Burnside duo Nikki Kelly and Manamen Sumaoro all bagging hat-tricks.
Brighton and Onkaparinga remain the benchmark in RUSA Reserves after racking up 70-point wins apiece with Onka's Jimmy Randall scoring 28 individual points against Port Adelaide.
The Third Grade ladder is more congested after Brighton Gold (third) knocked over Barossa (second) in a 17-14 thriller to end the Rams' four-game streak and leave leaders Burnside as the only unbeaten team.
