NSW Waratahs’ scrumhalf Matt Lucas played a leading role in Manly’s win over Southern Districts
Photo: seiserphotography.com

by NSWRU Media –

Randwick has secured the last remaining finals spot, going through on points-difference despite a 78-0 defeat to Sydney University.

With the last round of the regular season now complete, all eight finalists have been confirmed.

West Harbour has held on to fifth-place despite a 27-33 loss to Northern Suburbs.  The victory makes Norths the big winner of the round, as they jump up two places to seventh overall, at the expense of Warringah, who miss out on finals contention.

Eastwood has taken the 2013 minor premier honours after a 49-26 win over Warringah that sees the Rats finish on the same points total as Randwick, but miss out on virtue of its inferior points’ difference. Sydney University’s whopping win over the Galloping Greens sees the Students go through in second place.

The Manly Marlins’ 31-21 win over Southern Districts sees the teams swap places, with the Marlins progressing in third and Souths in fourth place.  Eastern Suburbs has secured sixth spot with a 55-33 defeat of Gordon.

Manly v Southern Districts

A Marlins try in the final 10 minutes has seen them leapfrog Souths and qualify in third, courtesy of a 31 to 21 victory. The win means they will now play Sydney University, with the winner progressing straight to the preliminary finals and the loser getting another shot in the semi-finals the following week.

The see-saw match was characterised by a number of huge breaks and try-saving tackles, but it was the Marlins who came out on top, outscoring their rivals by five tries to two.  Said Souths centre Rob Horne afterwards, “Today was a good test for us going into the finals. We’ve come out of that knowing what we have to do and what we can’t do.”

After a slow start, Souths were gifted a penalty in front which was quickly converted after five minutes, adding a second minutes later.  But the Marlins hit back when a quick tap 15 metres out saw Richard Hooper dive over in the corner, bringing the score 6 to 5.

An impressive break from Rebel Steve Fualau saw the captain break through three tackles to cross under the posts, pushing the lead 13 to 5. The Marlins were quick to return serve, crossing through Cadeyrn Neville after a quick break down the wing, which was soon converted making the half time score 13 to 12.

Both sides struggled to get the advantage early in the second half, until a sideline break from Rebels’ halfback Dewet Roos further extended their advantage.  It was too much of an ask for Rohan Saifoloi to add the sideline conversion, so when Marlins’ hooker Dave Porecki went over after finding a gap and Marshall Milroy converted, the Marlins took the lead for the first time 19 to 18.

The advantage was quickly ended after Manly presented the Rebels with a penalty in front only minutes later. The Rebels were soon camped out in the Marlins’ 22 pushing the defence back, quickly finding the line but a TMO decision went to the home side and denied the Rebels a try.

Soon the momentum swung further as the Marlins quickly returned to the Rebels’ half, with a break from NSW Waratahs halfback Matt Lucas ending in Pat Leafa crossing for a try in the corner. Both sides continued to work hard to get the midfield advantage but it was Manly who won out, moving towards the Rebels’ line and crossing, with another TMO decision going their way. When Marshall Milroy put on the extras with an amazing conversion from the sideline, the score went out to 31 to 21. Although the Rebels fought hard in the closing stages, the Marlins held strong to close out the win.

Said influential Manly scrumhalf Matt Lucas, “Our forward pack was massive today, there were times there were we could have ‘laxed’ off and accepted fourth and nothing really would have changed, but it was just a bit of self belief and wanting to do the hard things and the forward pack didn’t give up and really stuck together and followed what our coach was saying.”

Manly will now face second-placed Sydney University next week.  On the Students massive win, Lucas added, “They’ve had those sort of wins these last few weeks, that’s just another challenge for us.  Souths today was a big challenge for us, to be honest we’re really looking forward to that and the win today will do a lot of good to our confidence.”

Manly 31 (Harry Bergelin, Richard Hooper, Pat Leafa, Cadeyrn Neville, Dave Porecki tries; Marshall Milroy 3 cons) d Southern Districts 21 (Steve Fualau, Dewet Roos tries; Rohan Saifoloi con, 3 pens) at Manly Oval. Referee Rohan Hoffman.

AJ Gilbert was in the thick of the action as Norths came from behind to snatch a finals spot
Photo: seiserphotography.com

West Harbour v Northern Suburbs

Despite holding a significant half-time lead, Wests were unable to hold back Scott Fava’s side, as Norths came from behind to grab the vital win from the Pirates only minutes before the siren.  A slow start from the Shoremen saw them go into the second half 20 to 3 down but a huge comeback saw them defeat the Pirates 33 to 27 and jump two places up the ladder and into the finals series, with a seventh-placed overall finish.  They will now play Easts at Chatswood next week.

Northern Suburbs 33 (Elih Baillie, Corey Brown, Jac Cameron, Bill Meakes, Will Miller tries; Corey Brown con, 2 pens) d West Harbour 27 (Jack Debreczeni, David Lolohea, Tito Mua tries; Jack Debreczeni 2 cons, 2 pens) at Concord Oval. Referee James Leckie.

*******

Eastwood v Warringah

In a fast-paced match, Warringah required a win to secure a place in the top eight.  But the unrelenting Woodies held the Rats back and cemented their own place as the 2013 minor premiers, crossing for eight tries, including a hat-trick for wing Tom Hill and doubles for Benn Robinson and James Stannard, to the Rats’ four.  Although the Rats staged a late fightback, they were unable to keep up with the Woodies and were thrown out of finals contention when other results didn’t go their way.

Eastwood 49 (Tom Hill 3, Benn Robinson 2, James Stannard 2, Ben Batger tries; Ben Batger 2 cons, pen, Tom Hill pen) d Warringah 26 (David Feltscheer 2,Chris Arnold, Josh Holmes tries; Dave Harvey 3 cons) at T.G. Millner Field. Referee Edward Martin.

*******

Randwick v Sydney University

Sydney University displayed great skills to cross the line for 12 tries and keep the Galloping Greens scoreless. Winger Greg Jeloudev played an amazing match for the Students, scoring five tries, with Tom Kingston bagging a hat-trick and NSW flyhalf Bernard Foley contributing 23 points of his own. The Students continued their dominating 13-game winning streak, ending their season in second spot. They now play Manly next week, with the winner progressing straight to the preliminary finals.

Sydney University 78 (Greg Jeloudev 5, Tom Kingston 3, James Dargaville, Bernard Foley, Ben McCalman, Will Skelton tries; Bernard Foley 9 cons) d Randwick 0 at Coogee Oval. Referee Andrew Lees.

Go With The Fro: Josh Kaifa helped Parramatta send departing coach Glen Christini off in style with a hard fought win over a gallant Penrith – Photo: seiserphotography.com

Parramatta v Penrith

Penrith were determined to gain their first win of the season but were unable to hold back the fighting Two Blues, who took the match 36-24. Penrith were quick to get the ball rolling, scoring two quick tries but the Two Blues fought hard and ended the half ahead 14 to 12. Both sides continued to fight throughout the match, but three tries from the home side secured the win, ending departing coach Glen Christini’s tenure on a high and giving him a further cause to celebrate on his birthday.

Parramatta 36 (Andrew Cox, Dominic Graham, Myles Hunkin, Charlie Leaeno, Moses Tavola tries; Dominic Graham con, pen, Tom Woods 2 cons, Dominic Graham con) d Penrith 24 (Leo Burgess 2, Kampo Sione, Kerren Straker tries; Lachlan Fox 2 cons) at Merrylands RSL Rugby Park. Referee Richard Goswell.

Parramatta had another reason to celebrate when its second grade team secured a place in the Colin Caird Shield finals with a 24-22 win over Penrith. Also competing in the in the Colin Caird Shield finals next week are Manly and Randwick (Manly Oval, Sunday 1.15pm), Northern Suburbs who play Parramatta (Concord Oval, Saturday 1.15pm), Eastern Suburbs and Gordon (Chatswood Oval, Sunday 1.05pm), and Sydney University and Eastwood (T. G. Millner Field, Saturday 1.05pm).

*******

Gordon v Eastern Suburbs

The Highlanders were quick to put points on the board during their final match of the season, crossing the line on a number of occasions to gain a 26-12 half time lead. But their lead soon diminished when Easts fought back to score 43 second half points. Their sixth-placed finish will see them face Norths next Sunday.

Eastern Suburbs 55 (Damon Anderson, Clay Brodie, Mitch Chapman, Will Fay, Henry Hudson, Anton La Vin, Elijah Niko, Louie Taylor, Pauliasi Taumoepeau tries; Henry Hudson 5 cons) d Gordon 33 (Gordon Broome 2, Jack Dempsey, Tom Matthews, Nick Walker tries; Henry Carmichael 4 cons) at Chatswood Oval. Referee Ian Smith.

*******

Shute Shield Finals – Week 1
Starting 24/08/2013

Saturday 3pm
Qualifying Final A – Eastwood v Southern Districts at T. G. Millner Field

Saturday 3.10pm
Qualifying Final B – West Harbour v Randwick at Concord Oval

Sunday 3pm
Qualifying Final C – Eastern Suburbs v Northern Suburbs at Chatswood Oval

Sunday 3.10pm
Qualifying Final D – Sydney University v Manly at Manly Oval