Randwick en route to Grand Final
Sun, 07 Sep 2008 12:06
The Shute Shield elimination semifinals saw Randwick and Eastern Suburbs go through to the play-offs to face Gordon and Sydney University respectively for the Grand Final qualifiers.
Eastern Suburbs have the opportunity to make their second Shute Shield Grand Final in as many years after overcoming West Harbour 28-15 at Western Weekender Stadium on Saturday.
Randwick has survived a comeback from a fast-finishing Warringah outfit, scoring four tries to three to outlast the Rats 30-24 at the Woollahra Oval on Sunday, setting up their Grand Final qualifier against Gordon next week.
Eastern Suburbs v West Harbour, Western Weekender Stadium
In wet and windy conditions, the Beasts bolted to an early lead which the Pirates simply couldn't overcome in a draining match.
Running with a favourable wind in the first half, the Beasts needed to post an advantage early on to stamp their authority on the game, and it took them little time to do so.
Easts No.8 Richard Stanford had the opportunity for the first try of the game but knocked forward on the goal-line after attacking from the back of the scrum. However from the ensuing scrum a tighthead allowed Luke Irwin to pick up the loose ball and cross for the Beasts.
Gavin Debartolo converted for a 7-0 lead in just the third minute.
They doubled that lead soon after when a Pirates' clearing kick was charged down, with Tom Azar dropping on the ball just inside the dead ball line.
Soon after the restart a scuffle saw Easts flank Tim McGann and Wests prop Campese Ma'afu earn a yellow card, and to add insult to injury for the Pirates the penalty went against them after they were enjoying their only territorial advantage of the opening stages.
An Anton LaVin break resulted in Tom Egan crossing in the corner in the 12th minute, however the Television Match Official (TMO) ruled his knee in touch before the ball was grounded.
The Pirates regained their composure but were forced to play out of their own territory with Easts using the strong breeze to continually turn West Harbour on their heels.
Weight of field position saw Easts again close to scoring, and after Ed Brenac was denied by the TMO once, he crossed soon after for the Beasts third try.
Debartolo's conversion extended the margin to 21-0 in the 31st minute which is how the first half ended.
West Harbour needed to be first to score in the second half to stay in the game and did so through a 70-metre counter-attack from Lester Salanoa who crossed for his 14th try of the season.
Nick Reily's conversion attempt was successful and he piloted a penalty four minutes later to bring the margin inside two converted tries.
Easts regained the ascendency and momentum with a turnover try to Will Brock. West Harbour threw a loose ball while on the attack which LaVin toed through deep into Pirates' territory where Brock finished off the movement under the posts.
Debartolo converted from in front to extend to a 28-10 lead with 20 minutes to play.
Salanoa scored a consolation try after the siren to make the scoreline more respectable, however Eastern Suburbs thoroughly deserved their victory.
Eastern Suburbs will face Sydney University in the first preliminary final next Saturday at Coogee Oval
Scorers:
For Eastern Suburbs:
Tries: Irwin, Azar, Brenac, Brock
Cons: Debartolo
For West Harbour:
Tries: Salanoa 2
Con: Reily
Pen: Reily
Teams:
Eastern Suburbs: 15 Gavin Debartolo, 14 Clyde Rathbone, 13 Anthony Faingaa, 12 Tom Azar, 11 Afusipa Taumeopeau, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Luke Irwin, 8 Richard Stanford, 7 Tim McGann, 6 Ed Brenac, 5 Tom Egan (captain), 4 Adam Byrnes, 3 Aaron Tawera, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Heamani Levaka.
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 Mark Porpiglia, 6 James King, 5 Ben Lonsdale, 4 Damian Lloyd, 3 Luke Hunter, 2 Ben Roberts, 1 Campese Ma'afu.
Referee: Ian Smith
Touch judges: James Leckie, Nathan Pearce
Television match official: George Ayoub
Randwick v Warringah, Woollahra Oval
In a high quality match, Randwick never trailed but were lucky to hold on, with Warringah throwing a forward pass after full-time with the try-line within reach.
Clint Eadie had the opportunity to post points for Warringah with an early penalty attempt, however after it missed Tim Walsh made no mistake with his first shot giving Randwick a 3-0 advantage after seven minutes.
Ratu Nasiganiyavi looked to have gone over for Randwick in the 13th minute but was ruled in touch just before the line. However soon after he was over, running off a great offload from Sekope Kepu.
Walsh's conversion extended the margin to 10 points.
Warringah hit back almost immediately with some individual brilliance from Eadie. The Warringah centre had only the fullback to beat with a wing in support, but instead of throwing the pass he chipped the fullback, regathered and scored under the posts.
Randwick maintained the upper hand as the half wore on and were rewarded with a try to Mat Whittleston, however again Warringah hit back with Ed Doyle crossing out wide. Eadie's sideline conversion closed the gap to just one point with six minutes remaining in the first half.
Stephen Hoiles capitalised on some loose passing at the back from Warringah in the 35th minute when he intercepted and ran 20 metres to score.
Eadie nailed a penalty after the siren, setting up a great second half with Randwick leading 22-17.
The Galloping Greens started the second half in the best way possible, with Morgan Turinui crossing less than 60 seconds after returning to the field.
Sekope Kepu (Randwick) and Ross Duncan (Warringah) were sin-binned for fighting in the 51st minute, and soon after Walsh extended the lead to 30-17 with a timely penalty.
Warringah continued to look dangerous, with scrumhalf Brett Sheehan and lock Sitaleki Timani repeatedly setting the Randwick defence on its heels. However, as the clock ticked towards full-time it looked like the Rats were going to fall short.
That was until the 73rd minute when speedster Willie Bishop was on the end of a Timani line break and scored under the posts.
Eadie's conversion reduced the margin to six points entering the last five minutes.
A turnover in the 76th minute looked to have wrapped up the game for Randwick, however Kepu's pass was put down by Nasiganiyavi who was set for a 50-metre run to the line.
That gave the momentum back to Warringah who continued to attack right to the finish. Their final foray came unstuck right on full-time when the last pass was ruled forward as the Rats crossed the line.
Randwick now qualify for next Sunday's second preliminary final against Gordon at Pittwater Rugby Park.
Scorers:
For Randwick:
Tries: Nasiganiyavi, Whittleston, Hoiles, Turinui
Cons: Walsh 2
Pens: Walsh 2
For Warringah:
Tries: Eadie, Doyle, Bishop
Cons: Eadie 3
Pen: Eadie
Teams:
Randwick: 15 Matt Nethery, 14 Francis Fainifo, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Dane Inman, 11 Ratu Nasiganiyavi, 10 Tim Walsh, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Stephen Hoiles (captain), 7 Rodney Voullaire, 6 Ben Mowen, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Steve Brennan, 3 Lotu Taukeiaho, 2 Adam Freier, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Warringah: 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Shaun Killian, 13 Pat McCabe, 12 Clint Eadie, 11 Ed Doyle, 10 Michael Ruthven, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Ross Duncan, 7 Beau Robinson, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sitaleki Timani, 4 Luke Hanvey, 3 Daniel Barnard, 2 Dave Mason, 1 Dan Raymond (captain).
Referee: Nathan Pearce
Touch judges: James Leckie, Ian Smith
With thanks to nswrugby.com.au
