Weekend wrap: Shute Shield, round 22
Mon, 01 Sep 2008 10:23
Randwick has won the battle for third place after overcoming a second-half comeback to defeat Eastern Suburbs at Coogee Oval in the final round of the 2008 Shute Shield.
They will now meet Warringah in an elimination semifinal after the Rats went down to Manly in a passionate local derby.
West Harbour defeated Eastwood at Concord Oval sending them into fifth position, and they will now take on Eastern Suburbs next weekend at Western Weekender Stadium.
Sydney University and Gordon, who had already secured a week off to start the finals series, both recorded strong last-round victories.
Randwick v Eastern Suburbs, Coogee Oval
In one of the longest-standing rivalries in the Shute Shield, Randwick overcame a second-half comeback by Easts to win their final match of the season 34-17 at Coogee Oval.
The Galloping Greens leapt out to a 22-0 lead at half-time, however Easts fought back strongly in the second 40 to get within five points before Randwick went away with the game.
The home side drew first blood in the fourth minute when Tim Walsh bounced a 49-metre penalty off the crossbar for a 3-0 lead.
Gavin Debartolo had an opportunity to even the score just minutes later, however his attempt faded on the breeze.
The 2007 Catchpole Medallist gifted Randwick a golden opportunity to score the first try of the game, firstly with an errant quick line-out throw and then a chip and chase attempt from his own try-line. The ensuing turnover saw the Wicks spread the ball to the right wing where Mark Chisholm scored.
Walsh's sideline conversion put Randwick ahead 10-0 after 23 minutes.
Debartolo's earlier loss of composure was spreading amongst his teammates, and in the 27th minute Randwick capitalised on a fractured defensive line for Stephen Hoiles to power over. Walsh's conversion extended the margin to 17-0.
As the half-time bell sounded, weight of possession saw Randwick cross for their third try through Metui Maile, delivering a 22-0 lead at the break.
Both sides battled to gain the ascendency in the second 40 and it wasn't until the 58th minute that Easts troubled the scorers when Tom Azar crossed for his 14th try of the season.
Debartolo landed the conversion from inches in from touch to keep Easts' hopes alive.
A cross-field kick to Bernie Orbell looked to have secured Randwick their fourth try, but despite replays showing the touchdown was successful, the referee failed to refer the decision to the Television Match Official (TMO) and ruled a knock-on.
That decision was compounded just minutes later when Debartolo raced 70 metres on an intercept to score a converted try and reduce the margin to eight points with 14 minutes remaining.
The mercurial fullback landed a penalty to reduce the margin to five with 10 minutes on the clock setting up a grandstand finish with Easts riding a wave of momentum.
Randwick however regained their composure through some strong forward play, and a great floating ball from Peter Jorgensen found Sekope Kepu lurking on the left wing who fended off Clyde Rathbone to cross in the corner.
David Batiratu put the icing on the cake with a 50 metre try in the shadows of full-time, Randwick running out 34-17 victors to leapfrog Easts into third place.
Scorers:
For Randwick:
Tries: Chisholm, Hoiles, Maile, Kepu, Batiratu
Cons: Walsh 3
Pen: Walsh
For Eastern Suburbs:
Tries: Azar, Debartolo
Cons: Debartolo 2
Pen: Debartolo
Teams:
Randwick: 15 Matt Nethery, 14 Francis Fainifo, 13 Bernie Orbell, 12 Dane Inman, 11 Ratu Nasiganiyavi, 10 Tim Walsh, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Stephen Hoiles, 7 Rodney Voullaire, 5 Mark Chisholm, 6 Mat Whittleston, 4 Steve Brennan, 3 Lotu Taukeiaho, 2 Atonio Halangahu, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Eastern Suburbs: 15 Gavin Debartolo, 14 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 13 Lloyd Jones, 12 Tom Azar, 11 Clyde Rathbone, 10 James McSeveny, 9 Luke Irwin, 8 Will Brock, 7 Tim McGann, 6 Ed Brenac, 5 Richard Stanford, 4 Tom Egan (captain), 3 Aaron Tawera, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Rob McMicken.
Referee: Nathan Pearce
Northern Suburbs v Gordon, North Sydney Oval
Gordon will head into a week off with winning form after overcoming Northern Suburbs 26-14 at North Sydney Oval.
Billy Rainima scored a hat-trick for the Highlanders who finish the season in second place and have next weekend off before a Grand Final qualifier.
The match was called off less than a minute before full-time when a serious head injury to Norths wing Corey Brown required the assistance of an ambulance.
Scorers:
For Gordon:
Tries: Rainima 3, Thomas tries
Cons: Harvey 3
For Northern Suburbs:
Tries: Brown, Norton-Knight
Cons: Burnett 2
Teams:
Northern Suburbs: 15 Sam Norton-Knight, 14 Corey Brown, 13 Andrew Smith, 12 Codie Medway, 11 Dan Watson-Wood, 10 Chris Burnett, 9 James Price, 8 Julian Salvi, 7 Will Hunt (captain), 6 Peter Kimlin, 5 Chris Thomson, 4 Tyler Hotson, 3 Nick Lah, 2 Ryan Dalziel, 1 Joey Lynch.
Gordon: 15 Mark Preston, 14 Sisa Waqa, 13 Sinclair Fischer-Grey, 12 Billy Rainima, 11 Terry Preston, 10 Dave Harvey, 9 Vinnie Byrne, 8 Billy Ratu, 7 Craig Thomas, 6 Paulie Tuala, 5 Kingsley Seale, 4 Nifo Nifo, 3 Steve Taylor, 2 Nath Nicol, 1 Dan Butler.
Referee: Ian Smith
West Harbour v Eastwood, Concord Oval
West Harbour will take on Eastern Suburbs in week one of the finals after defeating Eastwood 42-29 at Concord Oval.
The Pirates scored three converted tries in each half, with wing John Sinisa scoring a hat-trick.
Eastwood out-pointed West Harbour in the second 40, however had conceded too much of a lead to peg back.
Amazingly, the score-line is identical to when these two sides met in Round 11, however on that occasion it was Eastwood who finished on top.
The match also marked the final first grade game for respected referee George Ayoub.
Scorers:
For West Harbour:
Tries: Sinisa 3, Martin, Salanoa, Reily
Cons: Martin 6
For Eastwood:
Tries: Batger 2, Holmes, Palamo
Cons: Batger 3
Pen:
Batger
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 James King, 7 Mark Porpiglia, 6 Dan Thomas, 5 Ben Lonsdale, 4 Mitch Hardy, 3 Michael Rigney, 2 Ben Roberts, 1 Campese Ma'afu.
Eastwood: 15 John Grant, 4 Ben Batger, 13 Hugh Perrett (captain), 12 Tim Corcoran, 11 Nick Batger, 10 Rowan Kellam, 9 Josh Holmes, 8 Josh Dunning, 7 Ben Coridas, 6 Gareth Palamo, 5 Phil Mathers, 4 Marty Wilson, 3 Aaron Broughton-Rouse, 2 Todd Pearce, 1 Simon Norris.
Referee: George Ayoub
Manly v Warringah, Manly Oval
Warringah has dropped to sixth place on the Shute Shield ladder after falling to Manly 31-24 in a passionate local derby at Manly Oval.
Nothing could separate the sides as they went to the break locked up at 10-all, however the Marlins finished strongest in the second half to end the season on a high.
Warringah's loss means they will now take on third-placed Randwick in an elimination semifinal at Woollahra Oval next Sunday.
Scorers:
For Manly:
Tries: Penalty Try, Siale, Smith, Taione
Cons: D'Arcy 4
Pen: D'Arcy
For Warringah:
Tries: Eadie, Timani, Talaapitaga
Cons: Eadie 3
Pen: Eadie
Teams:
Manly: 15 Adam D'Arcy, 14 Lupini Siale, 13 Tyrone Smith, 12 Luke Johnson, 11 Leon Bott, 10 Josh Gamgee, 9 Paul Sheedy, 8 Mark Fisher, 7 Will Brame, 6 Daniel Collins, 5 Dylan Sigg, 4 Sean Maloney, 3 James Lakepa, 2 Elvis Taione, 1 Reuben Bijl (captain).
Warringah: 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Shaun Killian, 13 Pat McCabe, 12 Clint Eadie (captain), 11 Ed Doyle, 10 Brock McGarity, 9 Scott Bradley, 8 Ross Duncan, 7 Beau Robinson, 6 Andrew Rasmus, 5 Sitaleki Timani, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Pingi Talaapitaga, 2 Dave Mason, 1 Morgan Basham.
Referee: James Leckie
Southern Districts v Sydney University, Forshaw Rugby Park
Minor premiers Sydney University have defeated wooden spoonists Southern Districts 40-0 in a one-sided encounter at Forshaw Rugby Park.
The Students were dominant from the outset, with Jeremy Aitkin scoring two of the visitors' six tries.
Uni now have a week off but will have all eyes on next weekend's elimination semifinals to see who they play in a Grand Final qualifier in a fortnight.
Scorers:
For Sydney University:
Tries: Aitkin 2, Playford, Jenkins, Inman, Weeks
Cons: Halangahu
For Southern Districts:
None
Teams:
Southern Districts: 15 Tim Small, 14 Nathan Dwyer, 13 Michael Black, 12 Michael McLeod, 11 Ben Rigon, 10 Matt Adair, 9 Rob Chrystie, 8 Matt Trouville, 7 Terry Autagavia, 6 Israel Stephens, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Liam Dwyer, 3 Guy Shepherdson, 2 James McCormack (captain), 1 Nic Henderson.
Sydney University: 15 Nathan Trist, 14 Nick Edwards, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Leo Afeaki, 11 Ed Jenkins, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Nick Haydon, 8 Tim Davidson (captain), 7 Jono Jenkins, 6 Hugh Hawkins, 5 Lachlan McCutcheon, 4 Al Campbell, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Jerry Yanuyanutawa.
Referee: Stuart Dickinson
Parammatta v Penrith, Two Blues Park
Leading by eight at half-time, Parramatta went on to score a bonus point in their 30-10 victory.
The Two Blues led 13-5 at the break before going on with the match in the second half to secure their seventh win of the season.
Aaron Mattin scored 15 points for the home side through a try, two conversions and two penalties.
Steve Mafi and Winney Paulo were the other try-scorers for the Two Blues while they were also awarded a penalty try.
The Emus scored a try in each half, one each to wing Henry Lilomaiava and fullback Solomona Fainifo.
Scorers:
For Parramatta:
Tries: Penalty Try, Mafi, Paulo, Mattin
Cons: Mattin 2
Pens: Mattin 2
For Penrith:
Tries: Lilomaiava, Fainifo
Teams:
Parramatta: 15 Ben Borg, 14 Brian Sefanaia, 13 Paula Kaveinga, 12 Dave Alo, 11 Tito Mua, 10 Tom Woods, 9 Luke Tabatoa, 8 Junior To'o, 7 Winney Paulo, 6 Andrew Cox, 5 Steve Mafi, 4 Andrew Brown (captain), 3 Matt Toli, 2 Scott Podmore, 1 Kris Zvirbulis.
Penrith: 15 Solomona Fainifo, 14 Henry Lilomaiava, 13 Patrick Mekuri, 12 Michael Paulo, 11 Nick Richardson, 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: Warren Dobes
With thanks to nswrugby.com
