Sydney University has become the first side to win through to the 2005 Tooheys New Cup Grand Final, downing Eastwood 38-22 in an often torrid encounter at Pittwater Rugby Park.

The Students had Alex Kanaar sent off late in the match for stomping, however by that time they already had the win sewn up at 38-15.

Kanaar's sending off wasn't the only time Referee Matt Goddard had to reach into his pocket, with Eastwood flanker Gareth Palamo to the sin bin early in the second half for pulling down a maul.

Eastwood dominated the early exchanges, setting up camp in the Sydney University half soon after the kickoff.
A weight of possession finally told, with flanker Scott Fava planting the ball over the line for the first try of the match five minutes in.

Uni on the other hand was frustrated by its opening efforts until Kanaar broke the Eastwood line and fed Nigel Staniforth for an unimpeded run to the line.
Flyhalf Scott Stumbles put his conversion attempt into the crossbar from in front, seeing a five-all scoreline after fourteen minutes.
Three minutes later the Woods were in for their second with centre Al McDonald scoring off an opportunistic try off a charge down.

Eastwood skipper Tim Donnelly converted to put his side out to a 12-5 lead.
In real tit for tat fashion Uni was next to cross, with flyhalf Daniel Halangahu taking advantage of some lax inside defence to score next to the posts. The Stumbles conversion levelled it up at 12-apiece.

Uni hit the front in the 25th minute of play when winger Peter Playford scored his 26th try of 2005, Playford's five-pointer breaking the 1971 record of Randwick's Terry Ryan for tries in a season.
Trailing 19-12, Eastwood remained in touch courtesy of a Tim Donnelly penalty goal, however a second attempt sailed wide shortly before the half time break.

Resuming at 19-15, Eastwood was dealt a further blow shortly after the break when Palamo was sin binned five metres out from their tryline.
The loss was immediately felt, with University hooker Brendan Cannon scoring his side's fourth try off a rolling maul just 60 seconds later.
University all but put the match beyond reach while Palamo remained off the field, with Halangahu crossing for his second to put the Students 16 points clear at 31-15.

16 was soon 23 when Playford crossed for his second off a neat Michael Griffin kick, and at 38-15 before the hour mark the Students appeared home.
Fourteen minutes from time, Uni was reduced to fourteen men when Kanaar was handed his marching orders.
He's now in doubt for the Grand Final in a fortnight's time.
Eastwood took full advantage of the overlap with eight minutes remaining, Scott Fava scoring his second try to see the score along to 38-22.

There it stayed, with Uni becoming the first team through to the 2005 Tooheys New Cup decider on the back of its six tries to three victory.

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 38 - Daniel Halangahu 2, Peter Playford 2, Nigel Staniforth, Brendan Cannon tries; Scott Stumbles 4 conversions.
EASTWOOD 22 - Scott Fava 2, Al McDonald tries; Tim Donnelly 2 conversions, penalty goal.