West Harbour’s Cohen Masson runs at the Eastwood defence – Photo: seiserphotography.com

by NSW Rugby –

Eastwood has overcome a slow start to notch up a half century against the Pirates, thanks to a hat-trick from captain Hugh Perrett.  The competition leaders recorded a 53-25 win at Concord Oval over West Harbour, who drop one place to fifth overall despite picking up a four-try bonus point.

After last weekend’s split round, all 12 teams were back in action today, with Gordon pulling out its third win of the season, downing Parramatta 29-18 and Warringah pipping a win against Randwick 42-41.  Second-placed Sydney University crossed the line 11 times to defeat Penrith, Manly’s 26-22 home win maintained their advantage over Eastern Suburbs and Southern Districts proved too strong for Northern Suburbs, recording a 32-28 home win.

West Harbour v Eastwood

Eastwood has recorded its 11th win of the season, running in eight tries to the Pirates’ five at Concord Oval.

Encouraged by the presence of recent signing, Wallaby James O’Connor, who ran the water for his new team mates, the Pirates gained the early possession but it was a simple set piece that created the overlap for Eastwood’s Nick Batger to cross the line. The Woodies were soon back on the Pirates’ try-line, with Todd Pearce crossing for his team’s second try after a 50m counter attack.

There was more one way traffic soon after, with the Woodies adding another five-pointer through captain Hugh Perrett, before the Pirates hit back with several attacking plays. Despite a period of sustained possession, the home side was unable to turn it into points until late into the half, when Bradford Kapa crossed the line for the Pirates’ first points. But a Ben Batger try late in the first period saw the Woodies take a convincing 24 to 5 lead into the second period.

Within minutes of the second half, the visitors continued their dominance with flyhalf Pierre Hola intercepting a ball in the Pirates’ half and running the length for try number five.  Minutes later, Perrett scored his second, before adding another soon after to complete his hat-trick and push the Woodies ahead 43 to 5.

With 20 minutes remaining, the Woodies completed their half-century but a strong comeback from the Pirates saw the West Harbour side cross the line four times in the final quarter to secure a bonus point and take the final score to a more respectable 53-25.

Eastwood 53 (Hugh Perrett 3, Ben Batger, Nick Batger, Tom Hill, Pierre Hola, Todd Pearce tries; Ben Batger 3 cons, pen, Pierre Hola 2 cons) d West Harbour 25 (Bradford Kapa, Aisea Namoa, Henry Seavula, Chris Simons, Winston Wilson tries) at Concord Oval. Referee Angus Gardner

Seilala Lam under pressure in the Galloping Greens’ narrow loss to Warringah
Photo: seiserphotography.com

Randwick v Warringah

A tough match full of hard running produced 12 tries at Coogee Oval.  Taking the lead early, the Galloping Greens looked strong crossing the line three times as the Rats struggled to hold them at bay. However, Warringah soon turned it around, crossing the line four times to secure the bonus point, then adding another last-minute converted attempt to pip the Galloping Greens, 42 to 41.

Warringah 42 (Michael Adams, Hamish Angus, Dave Harvey, Josh Holmes, Luke Holmes tries; Dave Harvey 4 cons, 3 pens) d Randwick 41 (Ethan Ford 2, Tim Wright 2, Tristan Goodbody, Rennie Lautolo, Lepani Waqa tries; Harrison Boileau 3 cons) at Coogee Oval. Referee Ian Smith.

*******

Manly v Eastern Suburbs

In a tight match, Manly took the win against Easts after the Beasties gave away several kickable penalties. Although the Beasties crossed the try-line three times to the opposition’s two, too many penalties provided easy points for the Marlins, who won the match 26 to 22 to move up one place to fourth overall.

Manly 26 (Ed Gower, Jacob Woodhouse tries; Adam D’Arcy 2 cons, 4 pens) d Eastern Suburbs 22 (Damon Anderson 2, Elijah Niko tries; Brendan McKibbin 2 cons, Henry Hudson pen) at Manly Oval. Referee Kane McBride.

*******

Southern Districts v Northern Suburbs

Souths have maintained third place on the Shute Shield ladder after defeating Norths at home 32 to 28. The Rebels got off the mark quickly and shone throughout to cross the line four times for the bonus point win. The Shoremen hit back with three tries of their own, but couldn’t claw back the Rebels’ early lead, going down 32-28.

Southern Districts 32 (Alex Gibbon 2, Jono Hayes, Rohan Saifoloi tries; Rohan Saifoloi 3 cons, 2 pens) d Northern Suburbs 28 (Corey Brown, Will Miller, Dan Murray, Liam Windon tries; Corey Brown 2 cons, Scott Daruda 2 cons) at Forshaw Rugby Park. Referee Andrew Lees.

Henry Carmichael played his part in Gordon’s third win of the season, over Parramatta
Photo: seiserphotography.com

Parramatta v Gordon

The Highlanders have recorded their third win of the season, claiming the scalp of the Two Blues at Parramatta. Although the lead swapped several times throughout the match, the Highlanders finished the stronger team, with their continued attack of the Two Blues’ line yielding a fourth try on the bell and taking the win 24 to 18.

Gordon 29 (Jack Dempsey 2, Matthew McDougall, Terry Preston, Nick Walker tries; Henry Carmichael con, Terry Preston con) d Parramatta 18 (Iese Leota, Tukia Muli tries; Tom Woods con, 2 pens) at Merrylands RSL Rugby Park. Referee Graham Cooper.

*******

Sydney University v Penrith

The Students continue to display their attacking prowess, crossing the line 11 times, including a hat-trick for wing Greg Jeloudev, against the bottom of the table Emus. But they didn’t have it all their own way, with the Emus showing their fighting spirit to push past the Students’ defence to cross for three tries of their own, just missing out on a four-try bonus point and going down 71-24.

Sydney University 71 (Greg Jeloudev 3, Tom Carter, Trent Dyer, Hugo Dessens, Bernard Foley, Tom Kingston, Nick Phipps, Nathan Trist 2 tries; Bernard Foley con, Byron Hodge 5 cons, Nathan Trist 2 cons) d Penrith 24 (Sione Matangi, Simeone Moelasi, Peter Tupou tries; Simeone Moelasi 3 cons, pen) at University Oval No.1. Referee Ed Martin