Shute Shield Round 10 Review: Norths secure win in curtain raiser for historic Lions match

Eastwood v Penrith

Despite showing great determination and strength in defence, particularly in the first half, the pressure from top of the table Eastwood’s attack was just too strong for the Emus.  Although Penrith will take heart from their two tries, the Woodies found the line 11 times in a massive 67-14 win that keeps them on top of the ladder and six points clear of second-placed Sydney University.

Eastwood 67 (Nick Batger 3, Mark Frost 2, Cam Mitchell 2, Michael McDougall, Shanin Proctor, Hugh Roach, Sione Tau tries; Ben Batger 2 cons, Pierre Hola 4 cons) d Penrith 14 (Kerren Straker, Willie Tooala tries; Campbell Hislop con, Paula Katoa con) at T.G. Millner Field. Referee Michael Hogan.

Manly v Sydney University

After several wins in a row, both sides ran out at Manly Oval hoping to continue their winning streak. But it was the Students who proved their superior strength, coming from behind late in the second half to defeat the Marlins 35 to 23. The Marlins held strong for most of the match, keeping the lead and dominating in the scrum, but the Students hit back, crossing the line four times for a bonus-point win that pushes them up one place to second, whilst Manly slide down to fifth.

Sydney University 35 (Tim Davidson, Sam Jeffries, Byron Hodge, Jim Stewart tries; Daniel Kelly 3 cons, 3 pens) d Manly 23 (Tom Chesters 2, Brian Sefanaia tries; Tom Chesters con, 2 pens) at Manly Oval. Referee Will Houston.

Randwick v Gordon

Randwick were quick to take control of their match, running in a try just minutes after kick off before going on to find the line a total of seven times in a bonus-point win. The Highlanders struggled against the racey Galloping Greens and weren’t able to score a point in the first half. A fight back in the second half saw the Highlanders cross the line three times, however continued mistakes cost the side any chance of stealing the win.  The final score, 49 to 21 in Randwick’s favour, sees the Greens just one place outside the top six.  Gordon remain second last.

Randwick 49 (Nio Halangahu, Terrence Hepetema, David Horowitz, Mark Koteczky, Rennie Lautolo, Nathan Paila 2 tries; Toby Browne 7 cons) d Gordon 21(Tobias Gukibau, Mark Johnson, Roni Scarano tries; Terry Preston 3 cons) at Chatswood Oval. Referee Damien Mitchelmore.

Shute Shield ladder (after 10 rounds)

Team P W D L F A Df BP 4t BP <7p BP Pts Eastwood 10 8 0 2 421 193 228 8 2 10 42 Sydney University 10 7 0 3 300 190 110 6 2 8 36 West Harbour 10 7 0 3 282 328 -46 7 0 7 35 Southern Districts 10 7 0 3 246 190 56 2 2 4 32 Manly 10 6 0 4 301 249 52 6 0 6 30 Eastern Suburbs 10 6 0 4 264 244 20 4 2 6 30 Randwick 10 5 0 5 333 249 84 6 2 8 28 Parramatta 9 5 0 4 294 284 10 5 0 5 25 Northern Suburbs 9 4 0 5 180 183 -3 2 1 3 19 Warringah 10 3 0 7 291 299 -8 4 3 7 19 Gordon 10 1 0 9 177 333 -156 1 1 2 6 Penrith 10 0 0 10 138 485 -347 2 1 3 3  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

[tps_footer]Words by Brittany Mitchell, photos by www.seiserphotography.com.au[/tps_footer]