Randwick leapfrog Easts to finish in third
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Saturday, 30 August 2008
NSWRU Media Unit
Randwick has won the battle for third place after overcoming a second half comeback to defeat Eastern Suburbs at Coogee Oval in the final round of the 2008 Tooheys New Shute Shield.
Mark Chisholm was one of five tryscorers for Randwick against Easts.
Mark Chisholm was one of five tryscorers for Randwick against Easts. [2008 Tooheys New Shute Shield Round 22 - Randwick v Eastern Suburbs]
Anton LaVin tries to get away from Stephen Hoiles as Clyde Rathbone looms in support.
Anton LaVin tries to get away from Stephen Hoiles as Clyde Rathbone looms in support. [2008 Tooheys New Shute Shield Round 22 - Randwick v Eastern Suburbs]
Nifo Nifo charges upfield for the Highlanders.
Nifo Nifo charges upfield for the Highlanders. [2008 Tooheys New Shute Shield Round 22 - Northern Suburbs v Gordon]
Northern Suburbs lock Peter Kimlin on the rampage.
Northern Suburbs lock Peter Kimlin on the rampage. [2008 Tooheys New Shute Shield Round 22 - Northern Suburbs v Gordon]
James King looks to offload under close attention from Ben Coridas.
James King looks to offload under close attention from Ben Coridas. [2008 Tooheys New Shute Shield Round 22 - West Harbour v Eastwood]
Josh Dunning is brought down by the West Harbour defence.
Josh Dunning is brought down by the West Harbour defence. [2008 Tooheys New Shute Shield Round 22 - West Harbour v Eastwood]
They will now meet Warringah in an elimination semifinal after the Rats went down to Manly in a passionate local derby.
West Harbour defeated Eastwood at Concord Oval sending them into fifth position, and they will now take on Eastern Suburbs next weekend at Western Weekender Stadium.
Sydney University and Gordon, who had already secured a week off to start the finals series, both recorded strong last round victories.
RANDWICK V EASTERN SUBURBS at Coogee Oval
In one of the longest-standing rivalries in the Shute Shield, Randwick overcame a second half comeback by Easts to win their final match of the season 34-17 at Coogee Oval.
The Galloping Greens leapt out to a 22-0 lead at half-time, however Easts fought back strongly in the second forty to get within five points before Randwick went away with the game.
The home side drew first blood in the fourth minute when Tim Walsh bounced a 49-metre penalty off the crossbar for a 3-0 lead.
Gavin Debartolo had an opportunity to even the score just minutes later, however his attempt faded on the breeze.
The 2007 Catchpole Medallist gifted Randwick a golden opportunity to score the first try of the game, firstly with an errant quick lineout throw and then a chip and chase attempt from his own tryline. The ensuing turnover saw the Wicks spread the ball to the right wing where Mark Chisholm scored.
Walsh's sideline conversion put Randwick ahead 10-0 after 23 minutes.
Debartolo's earlier loss of composure was spreading amongst his teammates, and in the 27th minute Randwick capitalised on a fractured defensive line for Stephen Hoiles to power over. Walsh's conversion extended the margin to 17-0.
As the half-time bell sounded, weight of possession saw Randwick cross for their third try through Metui Maile, delivering a 22-0 lead at the break.
Both sides battled to gain the ascendency in the second forty and it wasn't until the 58th minute that Easts troubled the scorers when Tom Azar crossed for his 14th try of the season.
Debartolo landed the conversion from inches in from touch to keep Easts' hopes alive.
A cross-field kick to Bernie Orbell looked to have secured Randwick their fourth try, but despite replays showing the touchdown was successful, the referee failed to refer the decision to the Television Match Official and ruled a knock-on.
That decision was compounded just minutes later when Debartolo raced 70m on an intercept to score a converted try and reduce the margin to eight points with 14 minutes remaining.
The mercurial fullback landed a penalty to reduce the margin to five with ten minutes on the clock setting up a grandstand finish with Easts riding a wave of momentum.
Randwick however regained their composure through some strong forward play, and a great floating ball from Peter Jorgensen found Sekope Kepu lurking on the left wing who fended off Clyde Rathbone to cross in the corner.
David Batiratu put the icing on the cake with a 50m try in the shadows of full-time, Randwick running out 34-17 victors to leapfrog Easts into third place.
Randwick 34 (Mark Chisholm, Stephen Hoiles, Metui Maile, Sekope Kepu, David Batiratu tries; Tim Walsh 3 cons, pen) d Eastern Suburbs 17 (Tom Azar, Gavin Debartolo tries; Gavin Debartolo 2 cons, pen) at Coogee Oval. Half-time: Randwick 22-0. Referee: Nathan Pearce.
NORTHERN SUBURBS V GORDON at North Sydney Oval
Gordon will head into a week off with winning form after overcoming Northern Suburbs 26-14 at North Sydney Oval.
Billy Rainima scored a hat-trick for the Highlanders who finish the season in second place and have next weekend off before a Grand Final qualifier.
The match was called off less than a minute before full-time when a serious head injury to Norths winger Corey Brown required the assistance of an ambulance.
Gordon 26 (Billy Rainima 3, Craig Thomas tries; Dave Harvey 3 cons) d Northern Suburbs 14 (Corey Brown, Sam Norton-Knight tries; Chris Burnett 2 cons) at North Sydney Oval. Half-time: Gordon 14-0. Referee: Ian Smith
WEST HARBOUR V EASTWOOD at Concord Oval
West Harbour will take on Eastern Suburbs in week one of the finals after defeating Eastwood 42-29 at Concord Oval.
The Pirates scored three converted tries in each half, with wing John Sinisa scoring a hat-trick.
Eastwood out-pointed West Harbour in the second forty, however had conceded too much of a lead to peg back.
Amazingly, the scoreline is identical to when these two sides met in Round 11, however on that occasion it was Eastwood who finished on top.
The match also marked the final first grade game for respected referee George Ayoub.
West Harbour 42 (John Sinisa 3, Ben Martin, Lester Salanoa, Nick Reily tries; Ben Martin 6 cons) d Eastwood 29 (Nick Batger 2, Josh Holmes, Gareth Palamo tries; Ben Batger 3 cons, pen) at Concord Oval. Half-time: West Harbour 21-0. Referee: George Ayoub
MANLY V WARRINGAH at Manly Oval
Warringah has dropped to sixth place on the Shute Shield ladder after falling to Manly 31-24 in a passionate local derby at Manly Oval.
Nothing could separate the sides as they went to the break locked up at 10-all, however the Marlins finished strongest in the second half to end the season on a high.
Warringah's loss means they will now take on third-placed Randwick in an Elimination Semifinal at Woollahra Oval next Sunday.
Manly 31 (Penalty Try, Lupini Siale, Tyrone Smith, Elvis Taione tries; Adam D'Arcy 4 cons, pen) d Warringah 24 (Clint Eadie, Sitaleki Timani, Pingi Talaapitaga tries; Clint Eadie 3 cons, pen) at Manly Oval. Half-time 10-all. Referee: James Leckie
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS V SYDNEY UNIVERSITY at Forshaw Rugby Park
Minor premiers Sydney University have defeated wooden spooners Southern Districts 40-0 in a one-sided encounter at Forshaw Rugby Park.
The Students were dominant from the outset, with Jeremy Aitkin scoring two of the visitors' six tries.
Uni now have a week off but will have all eyes on next weekend's elimination semifinals to see who they play in a Grand Final qualifier in a fortnight.
Sydney University 40 (Jeremy Aitkin 2, Peter Playford, Ed Jenkins, Mitch Inman, Laurie Weeks tries; Daniel Halangahu 5 cons) d Southern Districts 0 at Forshaw Rugby Park. Half-time: Sydney University 21-0. Referee: Stuart Dickinson
Sunday 31 August 2008 - 3:00pm: Parramatta (9th) V Penrith (11th) at Two Blues Park.