Students seal Shute Shield's top spot
Sun, 17 Aug 2008 14:57
Sydney University turned in a fantastic performance at University Oval to defeat Warringah 42-14, wrapping up Round 20 of the Shute Shield.
The bonus-point victory takes Sydney University 12 points clear at the top of the ladder and seals the Minor Premiership for the defending champions with two weeks remaining.
West Harbour has returned to form with come-from-behind victory over Gordon, which gets their 2008 title aspirations back on track.
The Pirates' important bonus-point victory gives them an eight-point buffer over seventh-placed Eastwood.
Randwick, Eastern Suburbs, Eastwood and Manly also all recorded bonus-point victories.
Weekend wrap:
Sydney University 42-14 Warringah
In a match the Students dominated throughout, the home side asserted their dominance from the outset to take a 21-7 lead into the break.
They then out-pointed Warringah by the same margin in the second half to record the 28-point victory.
Fullback Nathan Trist scored a double for the Students, while Daniel Halangahu tallied 17 points from four conversions and three penalties.
Warringah remains in fifth place on the competition ladder, but are now only three points clear of Warringah.
The Rats, however, are assured of a play-off position, sitting 11 points clear of Eastwood - who can only score a maximum of 10 points in the next two weeks.
Scorers:
Sydney University:
Tries: Trist 2, Penalty Try, Jenkins, Inman
Cons: Halangahu 4
Pens: Halangahu 3
Warringah:
Tries: McGarity, McCabe
Cons: Gerrard 2
Teams:
Sydney University: 15 Nathan Trist, 14 Nick Edwards, 13 Leo Afeaki, 12 Dan P Kelly, 11 Ed Jenkins, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Nick Haydon, 8 Tim Davidson (captain), 7 Tim Aistrope, 6 David Fungalei, 5 Hugh Hawkins, 4 Al Campbell, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Jerry Yanuyanutawa.
Warringah: 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Willie Bishop, 13 Pat McCabe, 12 Brock McGarity, 11 Ed Doyle, 10 Michael Ruthven, 9 Sam Hutcherson, 8 Ross Duncan, 7 Beau Robinson, 6 Andrew Rasmus, 5 Scott Flint, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Pingi Talaapitaga, 2 Dave Mason, 1 Dan Raymond (captain).
Referee: Nathan Pearce
West Harbour 26-20 Gordon
West Harbour has recovered from an eight-point half-time deficit to record a 26-20 victory over Gordon at Concord Oval.
The Pirates scored 14 points with 14 men at the start of the second half to record the upset of Round 20, scoring a bonus-point along the way.
Lester Salanoa opened the scoring with an intercept try in the third minute which Ben Martin converted for a 7-0 advantage early on.
Gordon had the best of the opening quarter of the match but couldn't trouble the scorers, typified by a forward pass in the 20th minute when a try was begging.
Shortly after however the Pirates were penalised at close range and Dave Harvey reduced the margin to four.
The Highlanders maintained the pressure and after spreading the ball back and forth across the field, Paulie Tuala set sail on a 20m run to the line.
Harvey's pulled the conversion attempt leaving Gordon with a one-point advantage.
Two penalties in as many minutes left Nick Reily lucky to stay on the paddock, however the piggy-back downfield allowed the Highlanders' forwards to lay the platform for their second try, scored by Billy Rainima from close range.
Harvey's conversion extended the lead to 15-7, and Craig Thomas seemed to have touched down of a fumbled ball in the 38th minute, however the referee ruled the Pirates to have grounded the ball.
Off the ensuing play Wests were again penalised, and Isaiah Pine was shown a yellow card for repeated infringements. Gordon took the scrum as the siren sounded but the Highlanders were unable to extend their eight-point lead.
There was a feeling the floodgates may open for Gordon in the second half, however West Harbour began in the best fashion possible with Steve Massey crossing under the posts after just 80 seconds.
Martin's conversion from in front returned the margin to just one with the side still down to 14 men.
In the fourth minute the Pirates extended the defence again, and David Tautaiolefue cruised in for another try under the black dot.
Martin's conversion saw West Harbour turn their eight-point half-time deficit into a 21-15 advantage.
A long range penalty attempt from Martin in the 48th minute went wide, and Pine returned just after the kick, meaning the Pirates had scored 14 unanswered points with only 14 men.
Gordon regained their composure and after Mark Preston sent away Sisa Waqa and Dan Thomas, he then backed up from on the deck to score Gordon's third try.
Harvey's conversion drifted wide leaving the Pirates the narrowest of leads, 21-20.
The narrow lead didn't send West Harbour into their shells, rather they cranked up the excitement. A great in-field kick with no room from Dave Paurini bounced into the shin of Massey who kicked forward and touched down for his second try.
Martin's sideline conversion went wide giving the Pirates a 26-20 lead after 62 minutes and a bonus-point in the bag.
As the final quarter of the match wound down both teams were very willing and aggressive at the breakdown. However the Highlanders could not breach the Pirates line and when Gordon conceded a penalty at close range in the dying stages the match seemed over.
However with 30 seconds remaining Martin's attempt drifted wide allowing Gordon one final attack. The Pirates showed good composure to remain safe and wind down the clock wrapping up an important victory.
Gordon secured a bonus-point, however are now just three points clear of Randwick in the race to second and a week off at the start of the semifinals.
Scorers:
West Harbour:
Tries: Massey 2, Salanoa, Tautaiolefue
Cons: Martin 3
Gordon:
Tries: Tuala, Rainima, Preston
Con: Harvey
Pen: Harvey
Teams:
West Harbour: 15 Ben Martin (captain), 14 John Sinisa, 13 Lester Salanoa, 12 David Tautaoilefue, 11 Nick Reily, 10 Dave Paurini, 9 Steve Massey, 8 Isaiah Pine, 7 Dan Thomas, 6 James King, 5 Ben Lonsdale, 4 Damian Lloyd, 3 Michael Rigney, 2 Ben Roberts, 1 Campese Ma'afu
Gordon: 15 Mark Preston, 14 Sisa Waqa, 13 Matt MacDougall, 12 Billy Rainima, 11 Terry Preston, 10 Dave Harvey, 9 Vinnie Byrne, 8 Ben Blakely, 7 Craig Thomas, 6 Vili Napa'a, 5 Kingsley Seale, 4 Nifo Nifo, 3 Steve Taylor, 2 Alex Gluth, 1 Ofa Fainga'anuku
Referee: Julian Pritchard
Parramatta 22-39 Eastern Suburbs
Eastern Suburbs have continued their strong form with a 39-22 victory over Parramatta at Two Blues Park.
The Beasts ran in six tries to three to earn a bonus-point, with Clyde Rathbone bagging an impressive double.
Parramatta are now mathematically out of the race for the top six, while Easts could still finish as high as second if results fall their way.
Scorers:
Eastern Suburbs:
Tries: Rathbone 2, Stanford, Toomua, Faingaa, Debartolo
Cons: Faingaa 3
Pen: Debartolo
Parramatta:
Tries: Paulo, Kolikata, Sefanaia
Cons: Woods 2
Pen: Woods
Teams:
Parramatta: 15 Ben Borg, 14 Roland Herea, 13 Brian Sefanaia, 12 Dave Alo, 11 Junior Kolikata, 10 Tom Woods, 9 Luke Tabatoa, 8 Winney Paulo, 7 Andrew Cox, 6 Steve Mafi, 5 Richard Penisini, 4 Andrew Brown (captain), 3 Matt Toli, 2 Scott Podmore, 1 Kris Zvirbulis.
Eastern Suburbs: 15 Gavin Debartolo, 14 John Collignon, 13 Lloyd Jones, 12 Tom Azar, 11 Pat Smith, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Luke Irwin, 8 Richard Stanford, 7 Tim McGann, 6 Ed Brenac, 5 Matt McGann, 4 Tom Egan (captain), 3 Rob McMicken, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Aaron Tawera.
Referee: Daniel Cheever
Manly 33-10 Penrith
Manly have kept their slim play-off chances alive with a 33-10 victory over Penrith at Manly Oval.
The Marlins scored five tries to one and remain 10 points out of sixth, meaning any points to West Harbour over the final two weeks will kill their finals aspirations.
Penrith were totally outclassed by Manly, however Eastwood's victory means the Emus are now safe from finishing last.
Scorers:
Manly:
Tries: Taione, Fisher, Johnson, Siale, Tremmel
Cons: D'Arcy 4
Penrith:
Try: Richardson
Con: Su'a
Pen: Su'a
Teams:
Manly: 15 Adam D'Arcy, 14 Lupini Siale, 13 Luke Johnson, 12 Anthony Barrett, 11 Leon Bott, 10 Tyrone Smith, 9 Dave Kennett, 8 Mark Fisher, 7 Will Brame, 6 Daniel Collins, 5 Dylan Sigg, 4 Pat Maile, 3 James Lakepa, 2 Elvis Taione, 1 Reuben Bijl (captain).
Penrith: 15 Solomona Fainifo, 14 Henry Lilomaiava, 13 Sia'a Taveuveu, 12 Michael Paulo, 11 Campbell Sione, 10 Jono Rolfe (captain), 9 Jeremy Su'a, 8 Luke Williams, 7 Rob Carlson, 6 Rodney Ma'a, 5 Liam Winton, 4 Shemaiah Evans, 3 Nick Barber, 2 Elvis Levi, 1 Dave Coventry.
Referee: Roberta Barnett
Southern Districts 24-62 Eastwood
Eastwood remain an outside chance of featuring in the Shute Shield finals series following an impressive 62-24 victory over Southern Districts at Forshaw Rugby Park.
Josh Holmes scored three tries while Rowan Kellam bagged a double in the ten-tries-to-four victory.
Holmes' hat-trick takes him to 14 for the season and fifth on the tryscorers list, however the Woods will be relying on Penrith defeating West Harbour next week to keep their finals chances alive.
Scorers:
Eastwood:
Tries: Holmes 3, Kellam 2, Perrett, Toala, Cocoran, Batger, Donnelly
Cons: Batger 6
Southern Districts:
Tries: McCormack, Autagavia, Long, Henderson
Cons: Black 2
Teams:
Southern Districts: 15 Michael Black, 14 Luke Milton, 13 Matt Trouville, 12 Michael McLeod, 11 Andrew Barrett, 10 Matt Adair, 9 Tim Small, 8 James McCormack, 7 Terry Autagavia, 6 Israel Stephens, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Grant Trouville, 3 Guy Shepherdson, 2 Dan Palmer, 1 Nic Henderson.
Eastwood: 15 John Grant, 14 Ben Batger, 13 Rowan Kellam, 12 Tim Corcoran, 11 Filipo Toala, 10 Simon Daff, 9 Josh Holmes, 8 Josh Dunning, 7 Ben Coridas, 6 Hugh Perrett (captain), 5 Phil Mathers, 4 Marty Wilson, 3 Aaron Broughton-Rouse, 2 Chris Hill, 1 Simon Norris.
Referee: George Ayoub
Randwick 54-32 Northern Suburbs
Randwick have returned to the winners' circle with a 54-32 victory over Northern Suburbs at Coogee Oval.
Bernie Orbell and Morgan Turinui each scored two tries for the Wicks who now sit three points behind Gordon in third place on the ladder.
Dan Watson-Wood touched down twice for the Shoremen who earned a bonus-point from their four tries.
Scorers:
Randwick:
Tries: Orbell 2, Turinui 2, Nasigaviyavi, Hoiles, Voullaire
Cons: Walsh
Pens: Walsh
DG: Walsh
Northern Suburbs:
Tries: Watson-Wood 2, Manning, Brown
Cons: Burnett 3
Pens: Burnett 2
Teams:
Randwick: 15 Bernie Orbell, 14 Francis Fainifo, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Michael Berne, 11 Ratu Nasigaviyavi, 10 Tim Walsh, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Stephen Hoiles, 7 David Viser, 6 Chris Houston, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Mat Whittleston, 3 Lotu Taukeiaho, 2 Adam Freier (captain), 1 Sekope Kepu.
Northern Suburbs: 15 Corey Brown, 14 Anthony Shortis, 13 Andrew Smith, 12 Codie Medway, 11 Dan Watson-Wood, 10 Chris Burnett, 9 James Price, 8 Julian Salvi, 7 Will Hunt, 6 Peter Kimlin, 5 Anthony Reed, 4 Tyler Hotson, 3 Tim Archibald, 2 Al Manning, 1 Joey Lynch.
Referee: James Scholtens
