By MARK CASHMAN

A penalty goal from Northern Suburbs flyhalf Angus Sinclair in the 81st minute has seen the Shoremen grab a pulsating 41-38 win over Eastwood on Saturday.

For Norths it was a vitally important victory at a vitally important time as they head into the back end of the minor premiership where they take on a host of teams in the top end of the competition.

To come over the next five weeks are Randwick, Southern Districts, Gordon, Sydney Uni and Warringah – a run that may well be making or undoing of this team.

Norths are playing the remainder of their home games at Pittwater Rugby Park with North Sydney Oval not available and they took to the surrounds well.

Eastwood started the game almost flawlessly when they scored from the kick-off and that set the tone for the rest of the afternoon with one team scoring and then the other hitting back.

Eastwood were ahead 24-21 just after the break and took what looked to be a decisive step forward when Norths prop Dewald Dekker was sin binned.

Tries from Pat Sio and scrum half Matt Gonzalez came soon after and the Woods looked set for an important victory.

But all the time Norths were battling away and staying in the game and a try from Reece Mau’u locked up the scores up at 38-all and set up the late game heroics from Sinclair.

“We’ve got lots to do with our defence obviously after leaking 38 points,” Norths coach Earl Va’a said.

“But ironically it was our defence that was able to work away and keep them at their end of the field for Brad Hemopo late in the game to force that final penalty.

“It’s an important win for us but at the same time there’s lots of things to work on.”

The lead changed seven times throughout the 80 minutes with 12 tries being scored throughout a grand afternoon at Rat Park.

Eastwood coach Ben Batger didn’t sugar coat his words when he expressed his disappointment in the Woods’ performance.

“We spent 79 minutes trying to lose the game and it was fitting that we ended up giving them the game in the 81st minute,” he said.

“Our defence was non existent and we virtually gave Norths a training run and allowed them to do everything they wanted .

“Then in attack we turned over way too much ball through very basic errors . I think we dropped the ball six times cold in their half.

“Credit to Norths though who had great energy and particularly Angus Sinclair who I thought controlled the game really well .

“We need to have a good look in the mirror because we have now conceded 120 points in three games which isn’t up to first grade standard let alone at team in the top six.”

Norths’ Connor Winchester did well in his first run on first grade game of the season while scrumhalf Duffy worked hard in defence and ran some excellent support lines in attack.

NORTHERN SUBURBS 41 (Nick Duffy 2, Reece Mau’u, Nathan Russell, Connor Winchester, Max Burey tries; Angus Sinclair 4 conversions, pen goal) d EASTWOOD 38 (Willie Leoso, Tim Anstee, Charles Granger, Patrick Sio, Matthew Gonzalez, Tim Simona tries; Tane Edmed 4 conversions)

IMAGE: SERGE GONZALEZ / EASTWOOD RUGBY