Manly claim fifth win in a row over a determined Penrith

A first half scare from Penrith wasn't enough to end Manly's unbeaten run as the Marlins went on to win the match 17-12 at Nepean Rugby Park, despite the seven-all halftime scoreline. The Marlins have now won five in a row and top the table, one place above second-placed Southern Districts, who secured a 26-23 point win over Sydney University at Forshaw Rugby Park in the ABC TV match of the day.

In other round five matches, Parramatta let go of a seven-point half time advantage to go down to Eastern Suburbs' 32-27 at Woollahra Oval. Northern Suburbs came away in a tight one, winning 25-18 over Randwick at North Sydney Oval. Eastwood gained a bonus point in a tough 34-22 win over Gordon at T.G. Millner Field, while Warringah let their running game flow against West Harbour, grabbing the bonus point with a comfortable 40-19 win at Pittwater Rugby Park.

Manly 17 (Dane Marakai, Penalty Try tries; Sione Ala 2 cons, pen) d Penrith 12 (Tala Mapesone, Wilson Silipa tries; Fokolulu Taumalolo con)

Penrith were unlucky not to grab their first win of the season over the unbeaten Manly, with the scores locked up at seven a piece at the half. A conversion and a penalty from Sione Ala proved the difference, as the Marlins notched up their fifth win in a row to maintain top spot on the ladder. 

The Emus will be pleased with their performance as they grabbed a bonus point for finishing the game within seven points of Manly, who are notorious for their try scoring ability. Penrith will bring the confidence of their performance into next week, setting up an interesting round six match between the two teams who now sit bottom of the table.  

Southern Districts 26 (Rohan Saifolio, Nicky Price tries; Rohan Saifolio 4 pen 2 con) d Sydney University 23 (Tom English, James Riches, Trent Dyer tries; David Fong 2 pens, Daniel Kelly con)

Sixteen first half points from flyhalf Rohan Saifolio helped Southern Districts maintain second spot in the Shute Shield ladder after they defeated Sydney University 26-23 at Forshaw Rugby Park. The Sydney University pack staged a late second half fight back but it wasn't a match for the Rebels' enterprising rugby that secured them a stirring win over the Students.

Both sides traded penalty kicks in the first 20 minutes as the forwards dictated the majority of play. Saifolio grabbed two penalty goals while halfback David Fong kept his side in the match with the boot, on the back of a 40mpick and drive from his forward pack.

The Students looked as though a try was on the cards with an attacking scrum opportunity, but that was short lived as Lester Solanoa intercepted a pass and darted down the field with support from Saifolio, who supported his centre nicely for the Rebels' first try of the match. Saifolio converted his own try making the scores 13-3.

Some exciting running rugby from Nicky Price, Sam Latunipulu and HSBC Waratah Brackin Karauria-Henry was too much to handle for the Students as they gave up a penalty at the break down. Saifolio grab his third penalty goal of the half making the scores 16-3.

The Students' were giving the Rebels' a lesson in forward running, with low body height and powerful leg drive providing some great attacking pressure. When Southern Districts conceded a penalty at the breakdown, Fong converted to take the score to 16-6 at the half.

It wasn't until the 60 minute mark that Sydney University found the line as winger Tom English crossed on the back of his forwards' mounting pressure. Sydney University are known for their second half fight backs, and when hooker James Riches crossed for his team's second try off the back of a driving maul, it looked as though the Rebels' first half lead was not going to be enough to secure a win as the scores were locked at 16-all.

But Southern Districts stuck to their guns, keeping the ball in hand, running wide and testing the defensive line at every occasion. The Students' ill-discipline at the breakdown led to Saifolio sinking another three pointer to break the deadlock and put his side out to a three point lead at 19-16.

A late try from Nicky Price sealed Souths' win, keeping them at second place on the ladder, however they will be disappointed to have let in a try in the last play, courtesy of Students No.8 Trent Dyer and converted by flyhalf Daniel Kelly, making the final scores 26-23.

Eastern Suburbs 32 (2 Heath Tessman, Clay Brodie, Apakuki Maafu tries; Angus Sinclair 3 cons, 2 pens) d Parramatta 27 (Andrew Cox, Tui Fa'asisila, Mosese Tavola, Tom Woods tries; Tom Woods 2 cons, pen)

Eastern Suburbs' overturned a first quarter 17-point deficit to beat Parramatta at Woollahra Oval. The Two Blues shot out to an early lead, surprising the Beasts who came in as the early favourites after grabbing a comprehensive win over Eastwood last week. 

The Eastern Suburbs' fight-back was helped by tries to prop Clay Brodie and fullback Apakuki Maafu making the scores 24-17. The Two Blues didn't go down without a fight however, as a try to captain and No.8 Andrew Cox and a penalty to fullback Tom Woods saw them regain the lead at 27-24 with fifteen minutes to go.

Unfortunately for the Two Blues, their winning streak came to an end as a late try from the Beasts and the boot of Angus Sinclair all but ended their hopes of winning the match. Eastern Suburbs' will be proud of their accomplishment and look to be one of the form teams in the competition after two great performances in as many weeks.

Warringah 40 (2 Elliot Foils, Ben Adams, Jack Tomkins, David Feltscheer, Penalty Try tries; Hamish Angus 2 con, 2 pens) d West Harbour 19 (Shaun Treweek, Maquire Tatola, Oleni Ngungutau tries; Shaun Treweek 2 cons)

Warringah have put the disappointment of last week's performance behind them with a fantastic win over West Harbour at Pittwater Rugby Park. It was a tight affair with both sides grabbing first half tries, however it was the Rats who got out to a 16-7 lead at the half. Warringah never looked like losing the game as winger Elliot Foils grabbed a double to help secure their second bonus point win of the season. West Harbour will be disappointed, as they were unable to back up after last week's inspiring performance over Penrith.

Eastwood 34 (2 Michael McDougall, Jared Barry, Mick Snowden tries; Barney Wood 4 cons, 2 pens) d Gordon 22 (Lucas Simkin try; Tom Hill con, 5 pens)

Centre Michael McDougall grabbed a double as Eastwood secured an impressive bonus point victory over the Highlanders' at T.G. Millner Field. Fullback Barney Wood looks to have filled the shoes of injured flyhalf Pierre Hola in the points-scoring department, as he grabbed 14 of his own with the boot. 

Despite the disappointment of last week and a number of notable absences including Hugh Perrett, who was signed to the Melbourne Rebels, Tim Bennetts who is off to Japan and the injured Hola, the reigning premiers piled on the points against a strong Gordon outfit. 

The Highlanders' will have it tough again next week when they go up against Southern Districts and will need centre Tom Hill to keep up his performances with the boot as he grabbed an impressive 17 points of his own.

Northern Suburbs 25 (2 Corey Brown, Bill Meaks, Will Brame tries; Mitch Walton con, pen) d Randwick 18 (Patto Noriega, Ethan Ford tries; Dominic Bower con, 2 pens)

Northern Suburbs have secured their second win of the season, grabbing the bonus point over Randwick at North Sydney Oval. The match was evenly contested, and saw the scores locked at 12-all at the break. A double from winger Corey Brown proved the difference, as the Shoremen secured victory with five minutes to spare.

SRU Premiership Competition » Shute Shield (1st Grade)

Team		P	W	D	L	F	A	Df	BP 4t	BP <7p	BP	Pts
	Manly	5	5	0	0	135	100	35	2	0	2	22
	Southern Districts	5	4	0	1	181	117	64	4	1	5	21
	Eastwood	5	4	0	1	161	115	46	3	0	3	19
	Eastern Suburbs	5	4	0	1	139	115	24	3	0	3	19
	Sydney University	5	3	0	2	172	105	67	3	2	5	17
	Parramatta	5	3	0	2	109	119	-10	2	1	3	15
	Northern Suburbs	5	2	0	3	115	102	13	2	2	4	12
	Warringah	5	2	0	3	118	118	0	2	2	4	12
	Gordon	5	2	0	3	106	113	-7	1	2	3	11
	West Harbour	5	1	0	4	111	192	-81	1	1	2	6
	Randwick	5	0	0	5	77	161	-84	1	2	3	3
	Penrith	5	0	0	5	83	150	-67	0	2	2	2
P=Played   W=Wins   D=Draws   L=Losses   F=Points For   A=Points Against   Df=Points Difference   BP 4t=Four Tries   BP <7p=Close Losses   BP=Total Bonus Points   Pts=Ladder Points

Last Round Played:  Round 5 - 12/05/2012

Home Team			v	Away Team		Location	Time
	Warringah	40	v	West Harbour	19	Pittwater Rugby Park	3:00pm
	Penrith	12	v	Manly	17	Nepean Rugby Park	3:00pm
	Northern Suburbs	25	v	Randwick	18	North Sydney Oval	3:00pm
	Southern Districts	26	v	Sydney University	23	Forshaw Rugby Park	3:00pm
	Eastern Suburbs	32	v	Parramatta	27	Woollahra Oval	3:00pm
	Eastwood	34	v	Gordon	22	T. G. Millner Field	3:00pm

Next Round:  Round 6 - 19/05/2012

Home Team			v	Away Team		Location	Time
	Sydney University		v	Northern Suburbs		University Oval No. 1	FRIDAY 18 MAY 7:30pm
	Manly		v	Warringah		Manly Oval	3:00pm
	Randwick		v	Penrith		Coogee Oval	3:00pm
	Southern Districts		v	Gordon		Forshaw Rugby Park	3:00pm
	West Harbour		v	Eastern Suburbs		Concord Oval	3:00pm
	Parramatta		v	Eastwood		Merrylands RSL Rugby Park	3:00pm