Eastwood has overcome a slow start to notch up a half century against the Pirates, thanks to a hat-trick from captain High Perrett. The competition leaders recorded a 53-25 win at Concord Oval over West Harbour, who drop one place to fifth overall despite picking up a four-try bonus point.
After last weekend’s split round, all 12 teams were back in action today, with Gordon pulling out its third win of the season, downing Parramatta 29-18 and Warringah pipping a win against Randwick 42-41. Second-placed Sydney University crossed the line 11 times to defeat Penrith, Manly’s 26-22 home win maintained their advantage over Eastern Suburbs and Southern Districts proved too strong for Northern Suburbs, recording a 32-28 away win.
West Harbour v Eastwood
Eastwood has recorded its 11th win of the season, running in eight tries to the Pirates’ five at Concord Oval.
Encouraged by the presence of recent signing, Wallaby James O’Connor who ran the water for his new team mates, the Pirates gained the early possession but it was a simple set piece that created the overlap for Eastwood’s Nick Batger to cross the line. The Woodies were soon back on the Pirates’ try-line, with Todd Pearce crossing for his team’s second try after a 50m counter attack.
There was more one way traffic soon after, with the Woodies adding another five-pointer through captain Hugh Perrett, before the Pirates hit back with several attacking plays. Despite a period of sustained possession, the home side was unable to turn it into points until late into the half, when Bradford Kapa crossed the line for the Pirates’ first points. But a Ben Batger try late in the first period saw the Woodies take a convincing 24 to 5 lead into the second period.
Within minutes of the second half, the visitors continued their dominance with flyhalf Pierre Hola intercepting a ball in the Pirates’ half and running the length for try number five. Minutes later, Perrett scored his second, before adding another soon after to complete his hat-trick and push the Woodies ahead 43 to 5.
With 20 minutes remaining, the Woodies completed their half-century but a strong comeback from the Pirates saw the West Harbour side cross the line four times in final quarter to secure a bonus point and take the final score to a more respectable 53-25.
Eastwood 53 (Ben Batger, Nick Batger, Tom Hill, Pierre Hola, Todd Pearce, Hugh Perrett 3 tries; Ben Batger 3 cons, pen, Pierre Hola 2 cons) d West Harbour 25 (Bradford Kapa, Aisea Namoa, Henry Seavula, Chris Simons, Winston Wilson tries) at Concord Oval. Referee Angus Gardner
