By Matt Findlay; Photo: Clay Cross/Sportspics

Although disappointed his side lost to Gordon for just the third time in the last five years Northern Suburbs coach Nick Hensley didn’t look for excuses, simply saying “the performance deserved the result”.

Saturday’s 42-34 loss was the first time the Shoremen had tasted defeat at the resurgent Highlanders’ hands since round 10 of 2017 (38-37), and before that round nine of 2015 (23-21).

Buoyed by the imposing presence of Waratahs play-maker Karmichael Hunt slotting in at inside centre, the Stags ran in six tries to four – Norths also picked up a penalty try – to claim the 12-point win.

It’s a victory that helps the Stags maintain their tenuous hold on sixth spot a fortnight out from the finals, they’re just one point clear of Eastern Suburbs, while the Shoremen stay in fourth.

“[Hunt] played really well. He carried the ball really strongly and has a good offloading game, he created some opportunities for them in attack and he’s a very robust defender but he didn’t bring anything we didn’t expect him to bring though,” Hensley said.

“We just didn’t defend well enough, we went away from a lot of things we did really well in our win over Warringah (two weeks ago) and our intensity wasn’t quite there, 

“We didn’t contain their offloading and loose attack well enough and we got burned pretty badly as a result.”

Hensley also highlighted ball retention, or lack thereof, as a big factor in the defeat.

“When we did have the ball we gave it back way too easily, especially on first and second phase,” Hensley said.

“It is usually quite a strong trait of ours so it was a bit uncharasteric, so we just need to tighten a few things up and make sure everyone knows their role and what’s required, especially early in the phase count.”

The defeat also continued somewhat of an inconsistent trend in the Shoremen’s performances, in the last six weeks they’ve won three and lost three, although Hensley’s confident his troops can rectify that leading into, and then in the finals.

“It’s definitely something we can clean up and it won’t be a problem long-term but it’s general application and intensity in guys. Execution will be something we have to nail over the next few weeks to be a factor in the finals,” he said.

That will start with a trip to face Sydney University this weekend, the students have returned to their best in the past few weeks.

After losses to Manly and Warringah bookended a victory over Eastwood a few weeks ago, the students have rolled to three consecutive wins over Western Sydney, Eastern Suburbs and Southern Districts.

“It’s a really good prospect for us, we’ve generally got our energy and intensity up when we’re playing teams above us on the ladder and we tend to perform really well so we feel like this is exactly what we need,” Hensley said.

“In saying that, we’ll have to play really well because they’re pretty lethal at home and if they’re in the mood and you’re not switched on, they’ll obliterate you.”

In last weekend’s other round 16 games Eastern Suburbs knocked off Randwick (33-26), Sydney Uni took down Southern Districts (47-24), Warringah held off Manly (28-23) and Eastwood defeated West Harbour (30-17).