Solomona Silipa is the only player to start in each of the Emus’ last two wins. Photo: www.seiserphotography.com

by Brendan Bradford –

713 days.

That’s how long it had been since Penrith’s last Shute Shield win. Just over 23 months and a couple of weeks short of two years since the Emus’ First Grade side last sang the team song.

On Saturday, at home in front of friends and family they finally broke the drought with a 35-26 win over Northern Suburbs which takes them to 11th place on the ladder.

Everyone that’s played Penrith this year has said it was just a matter of time before they notched up a win. They have no problem scoring bonus points, they average over 26-points per game and have a dangerous backline to match it with the best.

What often lets the Emus down is ball retention and discipline, but it all fell into place on Saturday as a committed defensive effort and customarily swashbuckling attack saw the Western Sydney side convert a 20-19 halftime advantage into a nine point win at fulltime. Jerome McKenzie was a standout again with a hat-trick while flyhalf Robbie Mate scored ten from the boot.

Emus playmaker Michael Mate. Photo: Karen Watson.

“Near the end of the game, Norths were attacking our line for three or four minutes but the boys’ defence was just tremendous,” coach Teki Tuipulotu told Rugby News.

“We let Norths in the game because of our turnovers, but it was a mammoth second half defensive effort and all the boys should be proud of themselves.”

In front of a vocal crowd, Tuipulotu said there had been something in the air at Nepean throughout the day.

“Our Fourth Grade side had a tremendous 80-8 win and there was a good crowd with a lot of family on the sidelines,” he said.

“Before the game when the boys were warming up and getting ready I thought to myself that it could be a very special day.”

The 12th and last placed side beating the ninth placed side might not seem newsworthy, but for an outfit that struggles for numbers when they play away from home and bring through their fair share of junior talent, it’s the feel good story of the year.

So much so, that when I interviewed Eastwood coach John Manenti at T.G. Millner after the Woods defeated Warringah on Saturday, it was the first thing he mentioned.

“Penrith beat Norths. I told you it would happen pretty soon,” Manenti enthused.

“I’m just glad they got the win before they played us.”

News of the result was music to Matt Briggs’ ears too. The current West Harbour coach spent three years at the foot of the mountains and was in charge the last time the Emus had a win.

“I’m so pleased to hear that, it’s fantastic,” Briggs told Rugby News after the Pirates beat Gordon at Drummoyne Oval later in the day.

Penrith coach Teki Tuipulotu. Photo: SPA Images

“It’s well deserved and it’s been coming and I’m just happy for (President) Jim Hook because he pours his heart and soul into the place. Pleased to see the old club get a win and they’ll be partying tonight – especially as most of them support the All Blacks!”

While the once off win is great for the Emus, Briggs said more attention needs to be paid to the development of rugby in the West.

“I just hope somehow, someway the governing bodies can help, because you look at the other codes who are doing it far better than us at this stage and there’s a reason the AFL is pouring millions of dollars investment into a place that they want to grow the game,” he said.

“That’s where the game is going to grow. The population is growing more rapidly than anywhere else, there’s a massive multicultural community out there that love playing footy but they just need a team or a home that they’re proud of and that they want to play through.”

Against all odds, the Emus will have the chance for back-to-back wins when they take on the Highlanders at Chatswood next weekend and Tuipulotu was already thinking ahead.

“The boys will enjoy it, but we can’t just be satisfied with it,” he said.

“I’m already looking forward to next week and another challenge against Gordon.”