UNIVERSITY coach Tony Munro believes the Students are finally starting to grow up, not just get older.
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Uni produced their most complete performance to upset Southern Beaches 27-17 at Bernie Curran Oval on Saturday - their second victory of the season.
The home side led 17-5 at half-time and then withstood a determined comeback by Beaches, who closed to 20-17.
"That is a game we probably would have lost last year," Munro said. "It has been coming.
"We went into a five-week pre-season because we didn't have one. We had to harden them up and get them fit. They have started to grow up, not just get older.
"They are starting to listen and believe in themselves. After the game against Wanderers (29-7 loss), which physically was tough, they understand that they can match it physically. They just have to be a bit smarter."
The match was marred by two red cards and a couple of all-in brawls as referee Declan Meagher battled to stay in control in his first top-grade game.
Southern Beaches second-rower Lucas Rosewall was given his marching orders for a headbutt midway through the first half.
The game erupted in the 58th minute and University winger Tajini Vakaloloma was sent after throwing a series of punches.
Vakaloloma was one of three first-half try-scorers alongside Tyrone Beitaki and Brady Mather.
Adrian Delore and prop Sami Havea crossed to get Beaches back in the game.
But Uni lifted again and centre Joshua McDouall sealed the result.
"I think the [improved] fitness levels helped and they stuck to the game plan which they hadn't been doing," Munro said. "We wanted to play field position and we shifted our attack a couple of passes wider and found miss-matches."
Southern Beaches were without key men Va Talaileva (concussion), Jacob Tatupu (shoulder) and Mick Delore (back) but co-coach Ben Kinkade refused to use that as an excuse.
"We were flat from the start," he said. "When it is a new team you don't have a lot of connection and history to fall back on."
The loss was Beaches third straight and leaves them in fifth place on 22 points, six points behind Hamilton who have played one less game.
"We are in semi-final football now," Kinkade said. "We can't drop another game."
Barnstorming breakaway Daniel Martine and fullback Hayden Cole each scored for braces as Wanderers overpowered Nelson Bay 50-22 at No.2 Sportsground to make it six straight wins.
After leading 17-5 at half-time, Wanderers exploded with three tries in 10 minutes after the break to run away with the contest.
"An 80-minute performance is everything and we probably only played about 15 minutes of decent footy," Wanderers coach Dan Beckett said. "We are a real tempo side and when we are on, we are on.
"We have a lot of weapons but at times we lack composure. We got away with it this week. Hopefully we learn from it because you have to have composure in big games."
In the other game, Maitland scored 24 points in the second half to account for Singleton 38-17 at Rugby Park.
Hamilton and Merewether had the bye.
James Gardiner
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
