Photo: JB Photography

Norths strike late to claim top spot in Bowral, West Harbour stun Randwick, Easts upstage the Marlins and Parramatta claim their first win of the year. Catch up on all the round four Shute Shield action played over the weekend.

West Harbour 30-12 Randwick

West Harbour produced their best performance of the season in a dominant 30-12 bonus point win over a disappointing Randwick outfit.

Boosted by the inclusion of Waratahs giant Taqele Naiyaravoro, the Pirates scored 30 unanswered points before Randwick scored two late tries to add some respectability to the scoreline.

Irish bound centre Dave Horwitz made a surprise return for Randwick from the bench, but it had little impact as West Harbour leapfrogged the Galloping Greens into the top six.

In further good news for the Pirates, prop David Lolohea is understood to have signed a three year deal with French D2 club USO Nevers. It’s not yet known when he’ll finish his commitments at Concord.

Eastern Suburbs 16-9 Manly

Eastern Suburbs also sent a warning to the remainder of the competition with an impressive 16-9 victory over Manly at Woollahra Oval.

The two sides traded penalty goals in a physical opening 60 minutes, before Waratahs centre Lalakai Foketi broke through to score the only try of the match in his first game in Beasties colours, ironically against his former club.

Mack Mason, fresh off signing a contract extension at the Waratahs, kicked his third penalty goal of the afternoon to extend Easts lead to 16-6 before Manly returned serve in the final play of the match to secure a crucial bonus point.

Easts are fourth after four rounds and can secure their spot in the top six with a win over an improving Parramatta side in Orange next week.

Warringah 87-5 Penrith

Warringah moved into the top three for the first time this season with a comfortable bonus point victory over Penrith.

The Emus opened the scoring through fullback Campbell Hislop but it was one way traffic from then on, as the defending premiers ran in 12 tries.

Rats winger Tyson Davis bagged four five-pointers, while Harley Attwater, who played fullback for the first time this year, kicked 10 from 12 conversions.

Warringah now have the best defensive record and the second best attacking record after four rounds and host Southern Districts at home next weekend.

Eastwood 30-28 Southern Districts

Eastwood overcame a 13 point deficit to hand Southern Districts their third straight defeat in another tight contest between the two rivals.

The Rebels led 21-8 early in the second half but couldn’t match the Woodies after the break. Eastwood recruit Pama Fou scored to swing momentum in the home sides favour, before Mick Snowden and Blake Sutton crossed to put Eastwood back in the match.

Jai Ayoub kicked a penalty goal to put the home side in front late in the game before Southern Districts turned down a difficult shot at goal inside the final five minutes.

Despite the win, Eastwood are still eighth with two wins and two losses to their name, while the Rebels are ninth with only one win over Penrith in the opening four rounds.

Northern Suburbs 32-26 Sydney Uni

Northern Suburbs kept their unbeaten streak alive in 2018 but they were made to fight for the entire 80 minutes against a young Sydney Uni outfit that continue to impress.

Played in wet conditions in Bowral, the opening 60 minutes were dominated by the big men with four tries scored by front rowers, including a double to Tahs and Uni hooker Tolu Latu.

Sydney Uni looked to have sealed victory after back to back tries saw the Students take a 26-22 lead.

But after a yellow card to Uni centre Harry Potter, Irae Simone broke through the Students’ defensive line and recycled the ball, allowing fullback Sam Giltrap to score the match winning try in the corner.

Norths lead the competition on 19 points, two ahead of Sydney Uni in second.

Parramatta 37-26 Gordon

22 points from the boot of Parramatta flyhalf Hilton Gibbons proved the difference at Lidcombe Oval as the Two Blues claimed their first win of the season, over Gordon.

Gordon opened the scoring with a try to flanker Mitch Lockley, but Gibbons kicked his side to a half time lead.

The Two Blues pushed further ahead after back to back tries early in the second half and jumped out to a 34-12 lead.

Gordon scored two tries late in the game to add some respectability to the scoreline, but were no match for Hilton and the Two Blues on an important day for Parramatta.