A try from HSBC Waratahs and Wallabies winger Lachie Turner has helped Eastwood seal a 32-29 away victory over Sydney University. Turner’s try, in his first game back since tearing a hamstring pre-season, helped the Woodies secure a bonus point victory that sees them hold on to top spot on the Shute Shield ladder after round 10.
In a tightly fought contest, Turner’s try nudged the away side ahead and the reigning premiers went on to survive Sydney University’s fight back to record their ninth win from 10 matches this season.
In other round 10 matches, Randwick picked up their first win of 2012 defeating Parramatta 42-26 at Coogee Oval, home side Manly smashed West Harbour 41-21 on Friday night, Southern Districts came from behind to beat Eastern Suburbs 28-27 at Forshaw Rugby Park and Penrith upset Gordon 32-24 at Nepean Rugby Park.
Eastwood 32 (Cam Mitchell, Tom Alexander, Michael McDougall, Lachlan Turner tries; Ben Batger 3 cons, 2 pens)
d Sydney University 29 (2 Michael Hodge, Ollie Atkins, Nathan Trist tries; Daniel Halangahu 3 cons, pen)
Eastwood have fended off a spirited Sydney University fight back to win the top-of-the-table clash 32-29 in a game that featured seven HSBC Waratahs, including returning winger Lachie Turner and prop Paddy Ryan.
Both sides traded penalties early but it was Sydney University who landed the first five-pointer, Michael Hodge charging down a Ben Batger’s chip kick to run in for a 40m first effort.
Eastwood hit back straight after with a try to Cam Mitchell on the back of some solid attacking pressure in the Students’ half, with Batger’s conversion made the scores 13-8. The Batger brothers were in action soon after, combining with winger Mark Frost to set up lock Tom Alexander for a great team try. Sydney University had most of the ball for the remainder of the half but couldn’t seem to crack Eastwood’s defensive line, with the scores remaining 18-8 at the half.
The second half saw both teams trade tries with centre Michael McDougall running in an easy try and when Woodies’ flanker Miles McCaffrey was yellow carded, it allowed Sydney University to capitalise with lock Ollie Atkins grabbing a try of his own.
But their advantage was short-lived, with a sin-binning to Sydney University captain Matt Schwager paving the way for HSBC Waratah Lachie Turner run in his first try of the season in his first outing of 2012.
Eastwood held onto the lead for the majority of the match but it was threatened with 13 minutes to go when the Students scored two quick tries to Hodge and a cracker from HSBC Waratah Nathan Trist to get a sniff of a victory. However it wasn’t to be as the Woodies’ defence stayed strong for the full 80 minutes, allowing them to hold on for a 32-29 victory and maintain top spot in the Shute Shield ladder.
Northern Suburbs 35 (Ben Matwijow, Wil Brame, Corey Brown, Chris Tuatara-Morrison, Sam Myers tries; Mitch Walton 2 cons, pen, Sam Myers pen)
Warringah 19 (Hamish Angus try; Hamish Angus con, 4 pens)
Northern Suburbs continued their good run of form with a comprehensive bonus point win over Warringah on Friday night at North Sydney Oval. The Shoremen continue to hunt down sixth spot leading into the split, with each win proving vital in their desire for a finals campaign. Warringah still sit in eighth position on the ladder and will face off against Penrith next week at Pittwater Rugby Park.
Manly 41 (2 Dane Marakai, 2 Ryan Melrose, Peter Gilmore, Brian Sefanaia, Jacob Woodhouse tries; Josh Mann-Rea 3 cons)
d West Harbour 21 (2 Henry Seavula, Oleni Ngungutau tries; Henry Seavula 3 cons)
The Manly Marlins defeated West Harbour in a comprehensive display of running rugby, grabbing the bonus point in the first 15 minutes of the match. Although the Marlins looked to have the game in the bag after the first quarter, Pirates’ winger Oleni Ngungutau showed that West Harbour still have some threats in their side as he picked up a great try of his own.
Henry Seavulu grabbed two tries and three conversions ending up with an impressive 16 points for the night, however it wasn’t enough to stop the Manly juggernaut from rolling on. Three conversions to goal kicking hooker Josh Mann-Rea helped the Marlins to an impressive points haul that sees them sitting in third spot on the Shute Shield ladder
Randwick 42 (Nio Halangahu, David Parsons, Tim McGann, Tom Joseph, Drew Mitchell , Finau Makamaka tries; Toby Browne 6 cons)
d Parramatta 26 (2 Tomu Mataika, Ryan Aniseko, Maile Latukefu tries; Tom Woods 3 cons)
Randwick have picked up their first win of the season, clawing their way back from a 12 point second half deficit to record a comprehensive victory over Parramatta. Trading the Balmain hoops for Galloping Green, HSBC Waratah Drew Mitchell played the full 80 minutes, helping Randwick to their maiden victory with a try of his own.
Parramatta dominated the first half, leading 26-14 at the break. However, it would be the Wicks’ day as they ran in a number of second half tries to secure their first win of the season. Flyhalf Toby Browne kicked all of his side’s conversions rounding his tally up to an impressive 12 points on the day.
Southern Districts 28 (2 Nicky Price, Brackin Karauria-Henry, Ben Connolly tries; Rohan Saifoloi 4 cons)
d Eastern Suburbs 27 (2 Luke Irwin, Damon Anderson, Tom Azar tries; Angus Sinclair 2 cons, pen)
An inspiring performance from Southern Districts saw them fight back from three tries down to beat Eastern Suburbs by a single point. The Beasties shot out to a 19 point lead but it was one of the tries of the season, finished off by HSBC Waratah Brackin Karauria-Henry, that sparked the Rebels’ to go on to win the match 28-27.
Three fantastic tries to winger Damon Anderson, centre Tom Azar and halfback Luke Irwin looked to have put Southern Districts to the sword as the Beasties were combining in midfield and playing some great running rugby.
But the Rebels’ backline responded, showing why they are considered the best attacking side in the competition, with every member involved in a 90m contender for try of the season, finished off by their captain Brackin Karauria-Henry.
A try at the end of the second half to winger Nicky Price, beautifully constructed by flyhalf Rohan Saifoloi, saw the Beasts hold on to a 19-14 lead at the break.
Souths continued the running rugby in the second half and it paid off, with winger Tom Connolly putting the Rebels ahead for the first time in the match, as he ducked and weaved his way to a great try. Captain Karauria-Henry took a leaf out of Connolly’s book with some lethal ball running to set up Price for his second soon after. Saifoloi converted to make the scores 28-22.
Needing a converted try to win, Eastern Suburbs showed their grit, continuously attacking Souths’ line. When Irwin ran in his second try of the day, flyhalf Angus Sinclair had the chance to win the match, but his sideline conversion missed the target, allowing Souths to hold on to win 28-27.
Penrith 32 (2 Tala Mapesone, 2 Wilson Silipa, Junior Taavili, Mark Murray tries; Fokolulu Taumalolo)
d Gordon 24 (Michael Manners, Tom Hill, Tom Mathews, Henry Broad tries; Chris Burnett con, H.Carmichael con)
Penrith have pulled one of the upsets of the round defeating Gordon on Sunday afternoon at Nepean Rugby Park. Doubles to wingers Wilson Silipa and Tala Mapesone got the job done for the Emus, who will take the victory as a starting point for a run towards finals football.
The defeat for Gordon sees them lose their eighth game in a row, with their last win dating back to round two when they beat Randwick at Chatswood Oval. The Highlanders will need to find some form next week against Manly if they want to get their season back on track.
Click here for the updated Shute Shield ladder.