Source: http://rugbynews.net.au/nsw/shute-shield-round-7-wrap-up/
There was plenty to look forward to over the weekend’s Shute Shield action and round seven didn’t disappoint with five of the six matches decided by seven points or less. Here’s a quick wrap up of the weekend’s action.
Manly are the real deal, but Norths aren’t done yet
If anyone needed any more proof that Manly were back to their best, the Marlins provided it at Manly Oval on Saturday as they ended Norths 19 match unbeaten Shute Shield streak. 13 points from the boot of Matt Lucas proved the difference in a tight affair. While the win confirms Manly’s premiership credentials, Norths certainly aren’t done yet but they’ll need to bounce back quickly ahead of key clashes against Randwick and Eastwood in the coming fortnight.
Students strike late to stun Warringah
Sydney Uni overcame a 29-7 deficit early in the second half to claim a remarkable 33-29 win over Warringah on Ladies Day at Camperdown. The Students scored 26 unanswered points in the final 30 minutes as Warringah failed to fire in the second half for the second straight week. The win sees Uni jump to seventh spot, just two competition points out of the top six.
Randwick and Eastwood unable to the split
Randwick and Eastwood recorded the first draw of the season at Coogee Oval on Saturday. Randwick led 24-10 midway through the second half but the Woodies came home strong and scored two converted tries to level the scores. Eastwood centre Tom Hill had a long range penalty attempt into the wind on full time to win the match, but the kick fell short.
Souths beat Pirates 34-27 in seesawing affair
Southern Districts held off a fast finishing West Harbour outfit that continues to get better each week. Coming off an upset win over Eastwood, the Pirates pushed the Rebels until the 80th minute and hit back every time Southern Districts pushed ahead. The seven-point win sees Souths hold on to sixth position, but the Rebels still seem to be struggling to find consistency this year.
Easts too good for Gordon in the bush
Easts and Gordon took their round seven clash to beautiful Orange in Central West NSW and produced an eight try spectacle for the locals. Easts scored three early tries, including one to Orange junior Jack Grant, to take a 21-0 lead to the break but Gordon fought back and scored 19 unanswered points. Leading by just two, the desperate Beasties kicked up a gear late in the match and scored twice through Clarrie Moore and James Field to secure a much needed bonus point win.
Parramatta score late to beat Penrith
Parramatta claimed their first win of the season on Saturday but they were pushed all the way by Penrith, who led 20-19 late in the match. The Two Blues looked to be running away with things after they got out to a 19-5 lead but an improved Emus outfit fought back to give Parramatta fans a scare. A late try to Johnathon Malo secured the result for Parramatta.
Shute Shield Round 7 Results:
Eastern Suburbs 33 (Tries: T. Pincus, Grant, Stevens, Moore, Field; Cons: T. Pincus 4) defeated Gordon 19 (Tries: Moss, Maguire, Balekana; Cons: Kennedy 2; Yellow Card: Freeman)
Manly 23 (Tries: Hilterbrand, Chesters; Cons: Lucas 2; Pen Cons: Lucas 3) defeated Northern Suburbs 18 (Tries: Vest, Sinclair; Cons: Sinclair; Pen Cons: Sinclair 2; Yellow Card: Burey, Woolf)
Parramatta 26 (Tries: Duff, Viiga, Cole, Malo; Cons: Malo 2, Nyssen; Yellow Card Nyssen) defeated Penrith 20 (Tries: Faiva, Faogali, Umu; Cons: Faiva; Pen Con: Faiva; Yellow Card: Fuamatu)
Sydney University 33 (Tries: Ingate, Fainga’a 2, Kagiassis, Dunbar; Cons: Kagiassis 4) defeated Warringah 29 (Tries: H. Jones 2, M. Jones, O’Connor; Cons: Gillard 3; Pen Cons: H. Jones)
Southern Districts 34 (Tries: Ryan, Mitchell, Smart Asquith; Cons: Saifoloi 4; Pen Cons: Saifoloi 2) defeated West Harbour 27 (Tries: Drury-Hawkins, Meafua, Ngungutau; Cons: Adams 3; Pen Cons: Adams 2)
Randwick 24 (Tries: Freier, Starkey, Johnson; Cons: Deegan 3; Pen Cons: Deegan) drew Eastwood 24 (Tries: Kent, Gonzalez, Gillespie; Cons: Hill 3; Pen Cons: Hill