The Shoalhaven ExServicemens’ Shoals first grade played a switched on University of Wollongong side that showed why it is sitting near the top of the competition ladder on Saturday.

Their back row in particular, played a fast and open style of rugby with their representative number eight being the best player on the park.

He ended up with three tries as he ran Shoals’ defence ragged.

All up University scored seven tries and after leading by 29 points to nil at the break ran out comfortable winners by 50 points to 12.

Shoals opened up the game with vim and vigour and took play close to University’s line.

However it was not long before the students had worked their way down to the other end of the field.

Shoals defended well against a well-oiled attacking machine, with Angus Clark, Adam Sargent and Ben Dennis really showing out with strong tackling.

University gave up the struggle of scoring a try and at the six minute mark, opted to shoot for a penalty goal and its success gave them their first points.

The next 25 minutes was all University.

They threw the ball about in magical fashion and swung it wide to their fleet footed wingers at every opportunity. Shoals tackled and tackled but the avalanche of large, fast and nimble forwards and backs broke their tight defensive line.

University scored some long range tries in the period, scoring five pointers at the 10 minute mark, then at regular intervals up to the 30 minute mark when the nature of the game took a sudden change.

Shoals dominated the last 10 minutes of the half and were unlucky not to post a few tries of their own.

They put the students under enormous pressure during this phase but just could not convert it into points.

The half time whistle blew as Shoals were hard on attack.

Shoals opened the second half as they finished the first half.

They tore into the rucks and mauls and quickly took play close to University’s line.

After several bullocking bashes and barges Shoals finally got on the score board with a good try to Alex Wilson.

However University roared back into the action with a try from the restart as their number eight raced and wrestled his way through Shoals’ defence.

The students followed this up with two long range tries within the next five minutes.

With the conversions all going through the posts the score mounted.

By the 20 minute mark of the second half the students had hit the half century mark.

Shoals finished the game off in fine fashion.

They threw everything into this period and controlled the ball throughout.

They went very close to scoring after great runs by Matt Spresser, Ben Dennis, Jacob Barnes and Stu Scibberas, but on each occasion, University managed to close out these opportunities.

As full time neared, Shoals gained a well-deserved try when Paul Clements threw a massive dummy from a scrum and strolled over for the try near the posts.

Best players for Shoals were Angus Clark, Ben Dennis and Paul Clements.

Shoals do not play next weekend but then play Tech Tahs at Vincentia on Saturday, August 15.