Northern Suburbs, Warringah, Randwick, Hunter, Gordon and Western Sydney all claimed victories in round 12. 

Catch up on all the Shute Shield action from the weekend. 

Northern Suburbs 26-22 Manly

Northern Suburbs scored 26 unanswered points to beat Manly 26-22 at North Sydney Oval and boost their chances of claiming the minor premiership. 

As they’ve done throughout the season, Manly started brilliantly and led 22-0 after 30 minutes following tries to backs Fraser Toohey and Nic Benn and a third from a driving maul scored by Rory Bartle. 

Norths refused to panic though and opened their scoring late in the first half when Max Burey found space and passed to Brodie Leber to score under the posts. 

The Shoremen parked themselves deep in Manly territory and closed the gap to just one point eight minutes into the second half following similar tries from close range to Nathan Russell and George Thornton. 

Norths then took a 26-22 lead in the 57th minute after fullback Winiata Cherrington scored in the corner following another attacking raid from deep inside Manly territory. 

Manly had their chances in the final 20 minutes but couldn’t find a response, even as Norths were reduced to 14 men for the final 8 minutes. 

The Shoremen are now just one competition point behind Manly in second place with six rounds remaining in the regular season. 

Warringah 19-17 Eastwood

Warringah sent off departing fullback Ben Woollett in style, holding on to beat Eastwood 19-17 at Rat Park. 

The Rats led 12-3 at half time following tries to Charlie McKill and Rhett Butler and were unlucky not to be further ahead at the break after Woollett was held up over the line during the final play. 

A penalty try from a well constructed driving maul gave Warringah a 19-3 lead midway through the second half, but Eastwood refused to call it a day. 

The visitors hit back moments later through winger Zac Hickey and reduced the deficit to just two points in the 72nd minute when replacement halfback Lachie Albert crossed following another Hickey break. 

Eastwood had several chances inside Warringah’s half in the final minutes as the Woodies played for a penalty. But the home side kept their discipline and eventually caused a turnover through Alex O’Dell to seal an important two point win. 

The Rats leapfrog Eastwood into fourth spot on the back of four straight victories. 

Eastwood on the other hand have lost their past three matches and face a crucial clash against an in form Hunter outfit at TG Millner next week. 

Randwick 33-31 Eastern Suburbs

Randwick held off a fast finishing Eastern Suburbs outfit to claim a two point victory over their nearest rivals for the second time this season. 

The Beasties led 17–14 midway through the second half in a seesawing battle at Woollahra but a penalty try and a yellow card to Charlie Gamble from a Randwick driving maul swung momentum in the visitor’s favour. 

After taking a 21-17 lead, Randwick went further ahead following Ben Houston’s second try of the afternoon.

Christian Yassmin then scooped up a loose ball that took a horrific bounce from a clearance kick and scored untouched to give the Wicks a 33-17 lead. 

Easts hit back through Charles Elton inside the final 10 minutes and trailed by just two points following a try from a driving maul in the 77th minute. 

But the home side were unable to strike again and handed over possession in the 80th minute to seal their fate. 

Randwick are sixth following the two point win, while Easts remain in 10th position four competition points outside of the top eight.  

Gordon 57-27 West Harbour

Gordon produced their best attacking performance of the season and scored nine tries in a 57-27 victory over West Harbour at Chatswood Oval. 

The Highlanders scored twice within the first four minutes and were near untouchable in the first half, eventually taking a 37-8 lead to the half time break. 

Captain James Lough bagged a first half double, while Ben Pollack, Jacob Abel, Harry Emery and Mahe Vailanu also scored before half time to set up the win. 

West Harbour tightened their defence in the second half and scored three tries after the break to add some respectability to the scoreline, but the result was never in doubt. 

Waratahs’ young gun Joey Walton capped a big afternoon for the Highlanders scoring a try and setting up another in his long awaited return from injury. 

The Stags are now just one competition point outside of the top eight and play Randwick away next week. 

Hunter 16-14 Sydney Uni

Hunter have given their finals hopes a huge boost with an upset 16-14 victory over Sydney Uni in Newcastle. 

In a tight and tough affair, the two sides traded tries from driving mauls in the opening 20 minutes before Uni took a 14-10 lead to the break following a second maul try to Mitch Whiteley. 

Uni stopped a likely Hunter try in the 55th minute with some impressive maul defence but were forced to pay for their poor discipline late in the match.

After receiving two yellow cards earlier in the game, the Students then conceded two penalties in kickable positions. Connor Winchester converted both opportunities to give his side a 16-14 lead in the 72nd minute. 

Uni then received a penalty on the 15 metre marker, inside Hunter’s 22 and looked like stealing victory in the final minutes. 

But flyhalf Ben Hughes, typically a reliable kicker, sprayed the relatively simple penalty attempt wide to the cheers of the Newcastle crowd. 

The Wildfires held on to secure a famous two point victory and consolidate their spot in the top eight. Uni drop to third following their fourth loss of the season. 

Western Sydney 33-26 Southern Districts 

Two pieces of individual brilliance from Two Blues centre Cardiff Veaga proved the difference in Western Sydney’s 33-24 victory over Southern Districts at Forshaw. 

Southern Districts had a try disallowed on the stroke of half time and went to the break trailing 14-12. 

But Veaga took control early in the second half and set up two tries to give his side a 26-12 advantage. 

Shortly after the break, Veaga kicked for winger Toti Mafi to score, then he broke the Rebels defence and offloaded brilliantly to his fellow centre Augustine Mafoe for the Two Blues second try in five minutes. 

Souths battled back and scored through backrowers Greg Foe and Josh Bokser, but Western Sydney’s victory was sealed when JP Sauni barged over in the 70th minute. 

Western Sydney are now eighth and face Warringah at home last week, while Souths are 11th with just three wins this season.