Adelaide University opened their 2024 account with a stunning bonus-point win while Brighton roared back to life in Round 5 of RUSA Premier Grade.
Uni’s Rafe Liebers was front and centre with four tries in a 79-24 thrashing of Elizabeth at Waite Oval.
Axel Sonnenburg (three tries) and Kayle Connor (two tries) also starred against the Knights as Uni posted their first win since last year's 1000-day drought breaker.
Meanwhile, the Tigers bounced back from last week’s Anzac Cup loss in emphatic fashion, rolling Souths 53-8 at AA Bailey Reserve.
A tense opening quarter saw Souths trailing 14-8 before Brighton flicked the switch, scoring two more tries before halftime and posting another five after oranges.
Over at Wilfred Taylor Reserve, Onkaparinga clinched the Bill Chapman Shield with Troy Wilkins (three tries) spearheading a 22-15 win over Woodville while Old Collegians and Burnside chalked up bonus point wins over Barossa and Port Adelaide respectively.
In the women’s competition, Woodville kept their unbeaten streak alive in a gritty 19-12 away win over Onkas to stay top of the table.
Across town, Souths accounted for Uni 39-5 while Port’s Samantha Cooper was a hat-trick hero in their 55-0 win over Barossa.
Old Colls leapfrogged Brighton on the Reserve Grade table following a thrilling 36-31 win over Barossa, thought Brighton Gold remain undefeated in Third Grade after downing Souths 28-14.
