Sam Myers leaves the Gordon defence in his wake as he helps Norths to the top of the Shute Shield ladder – Photo: seiserphotography.com

by NSW Rugby –

Northern Suburbs have maintained top spot on the Shute Shield ladder after securing their fourth successive victory, overcoming Gordon at North Sydney Oval. The Shoremen got off to a slow start, allowing the Highlanders to cross the line first and dominate much of the first period, before hitting back with three tries to win by 22-7.

Round four began on Thursday with an ANZAC Day commemorative match between local derby rivals Eastern Suburbs and Randwick, with the visitors coming away with the spoils at Coogee Oval.

Eastwood was just too strong against Manly running in six tries at Manly Oval, Warringah fought hard to defeat home side Sydney University and Southern Districts maintained their undefeated record against Penrith at Forshaw Rugby Park. In a great game of running rugby, Parramatta came from behind to defeat West Harbour in a 14-try running rugby extravaganza at Concord Oval.

Northern Suburbs v Gordon

Northern Suburbs made it four wins in four matches today after coming back from a try down to record a 22-7 victory over Gordon at North Sydney Oval. The victory keeps them atop of the Shute Shield, one point clear of the only other undefeated side, Southern Districts.

“Obviously with Gordon being how they are and being a local derby we knew they would be a tough game, and that was probably our toughest game to date so far this year,” Norths’ captain AJ Gilbert said after the game.

“Local derbies always have that passion. All the boys were gone, out on their feet, cramping up, it was hard to get the win.”

Gordon captain Tobius Gukibau was pleased with his team’s start but admitted they fell away as the game progressed.  “The first ten minutes we had the ball and played to our structure. But after that we dropped off and went away from it. Full credit to Norths, they held the ball and played to their structure and we just couldn’t keep up with them.”

After crossing the line early, Gordon dominated possession and used their backline plays to make quick metres downfield, only for poor ball handling at the end of their attacking phases to prevent them from turning their possession into points.

The Shoremen pounced on the opportunities provided by the Highlanders and it was only the latter’s resilient defence that prevented the home side from adding to its three tries.

A late yellow card to Highlanders scrum half Terry Preston allowed Norths to cross for their third try and pushed the game out of the Highlanders’ reach.

Northern Suburbs 22 (Lewis Dwyer, Tim Fitzgerald, Sam Myers tries; Corey Brown 2 cons, pen) d Gordon 7 (Will Shirvington try; Terry Preston con) at North Sydney Oval. Referee Richard Goswell

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Eastwood was just too good against Manly, crossing the line six times for a bonus point 43 to 15 win at Manly Oval. Continuing on from last week’s huge win against the Wicks, the Woodies attacked the Marlins from the whistle. Whilst the Marlins defence just couldn’t hold off the constant Eastwood onslaught, their attacking play earned them two tries and kept them in the match.  The win sees Eastwood maintain its third position overall, while the Marlins’ loss sees them drop two places to sixth.

Eastwood 43 (Michael McDougall 2, Nick Batger, Jed Gillespie, Nick Reily, Sione Tau tries; Ben Batger 5 cons, pen) d Manly 15 (Will Helu, Dylan Sigg tries; BJ Hartmann con, pen) at Manly Oval. Referee James Leckie

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The Warringah Rats celebrate a famous victory at Uni Oval – Photo: seiserphotography.com

After losing the last two rounds by a single point, 13 points from the boot of Dave Harvey have helped Warringah turn in a winning performance to defeat the Students by 23-18 at University Oval. Despite letting the Students get out to an 8-0 lead early on, the Rats fought hard to take the lead going into half-time. Despite a second half Uni comeback that saw them regain the lead, the Rats crossed again to regain the lead with only minutes remaining on the clock.

Warringah 23 (Brad Dixon, Josh Holmes tries; David Harvey 2 cons, 3 pens) d Sydney Uni 18 (Guy Millar, Nathan Trist tries; Jock Merriman con, 2 pens) at University Oval. Referee Michael Hogan

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After running last year’s Grand Finalists close for much of the match, Penrith will take heart from a performance that saw them score two tries through Leo Burgess and David Reopoama before going down 32-12 to Souths.  The Emus’ defence stood up well for much of the match, until two late tries put the game beyond doubt.  Still searching for their first win of the season, Penrith remain 12th overall while undefeated Souths sit second, just one point off the pace.

Southern Districts 32 (Lopeti Timani 2, Alex Gibbon, Rohan Saifoloi tries; Rohan Saifoloi 3 cons, 2 pens) d Penrith 12 (Leo Burgess, David Reopoama tries; Fokolulu Taumalolo con) at Forshaw Rugby Park. Referee Anthony Moyes

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In a great example of running rugby, 14 tries were scored with no penalties between the two teams at Concord Oval. After trailing early on in the match, the Two Blues came from behind to cross the line eight times for a bonus point win, moving them up to seventh on the ladder, a four-place jump from their penultimate position after round three. The Pirates were also strong crossing the line six times and earning a bonus point to hang on to fifth place. The Two Blues were facing an upset early on in the match, trailing 17-5 after 20 minutes, but quickly turned the game around running over the Pirates defence and taking the win 50-36.

Parramatta 50 (Takia Muli 2, Damien Fakafanua, Tui Fa’asisila, Myles Hunkin, Troy Lobendahn, Dan Rawaqa, Tom Woods tries; Dan Rawaqa 5 cons) d West Harbour 36 (Tito Mua 2, Cohen Masson, Alofa Alofa, Jack Debreczeni, Macquire Tatola tries; Jack Debreczeni 2 cons, Winston Wilson con) at Concord Oval. Referee Nathan Pearce

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The Galloping Greens were unable to redeem themselves after last week’s loss, going down to Easts on ANZAC Day in front of one of their biggest ever crowds at Coogee Oval. The Beasties were just too strong for the lacklustre Wicks’ defence and used their possession to cross the line four times and earn a bonus point victory. After a slow start to the season, the Beasties have now won two games in a row and move up two places to eighth on the table, switching places with Randwick who now lie tenth.

Eastern Suburbs 27 (Will Fay, Anton La Vin, Pauliasi Taumoepeau, Keliti Vaingalo tries; Henry Hudson 2 cons, pen) d Randwick 17 (Faitotoa Asa, Seilala Lam tries; Toby Browne 2 cons, pen) at Coogee Oval. Referee Ian Smith