Manly’s Daniel Alley on the charge against Warringah – Photo: seiserphotography.com

by NSW Rugby –

Another bonus point win by Eastwood against Parramatta this weekend has seen them join Southern Districts at the top of the Shute Shield table.  Although the Rebels are undefeated in 2013, the Woodies’ six bonus points mean they join Souths on top with 26 points, six points clear of third-placed Manly.

After scoring their first try out at Merrylands on Saturday, Eastwood didn’t take a backward step and put the Two Blues away with a comfortable 47-18 win, with some great running rugby.

In the ABC game of the week, a strong crowd braved the less than favourable conditions at Manly Oval to cheer home the Marlins over local rivals Warringah.

Elsewhere in Round 6, Sydney University downed Northern Suburbs under lights on Friday night, Randwick notched up a superb bonus-point win over Penrith and West Harbour held on to seventh spot thanks to a one-point win over Eastern Suburbs.

Manly v Warringah

Manly triumphed in the battle of the Northern Beaches, running in 42-24 victors over local rivals the Rats.

Having been evenly matched for the first five rounds, the stands were packed out as the two local rivals battled it out on Manly Oval, with the Marlins gaining the upper hand in the second half to seal victory.

An early long range penalty from flyhalf BJ Hartmann put Manly on the scoreboard first, before powerful front rower Eddie Aholelei added a try to take the Marlins out to an 8-0 lead.

Warringah hit straight back with a try of their own before Manly lock Ryan Melrose split the Rats’ defence with a beautiful rolling maul which led to their second try.  Thanks to some outstanding teamwork and ball retention, the home side helped themselves to a 20-12 half-time lead.

In front of a packed house, which included Wallabies legend Nick Farr-Jones, Manly added another try after the break to further extend their margin.   Some clever lineout work allowed Hartmann to run in untouched under the sticks for yet another five-pointer but this was soon followed by a Rats’ try, fullback David Feltscheer showing some fancy footwork to help bring the scoreline back to 32-24.

But it was all one-way traffic from then on in, with Manly dominating the closing exchanges to secure an impressive home win.

Manly 42 (Eddie Aholelei, Pat Leafa, Ryan Melrose, Adam Crerar, BJ Hartmann, Richard Hooper tries, Marshall Milroy  3 cons, pen, BJ Hartmann pen) d Warringah 24 (Joshua Holmes, David Harvey, Brad Dixon, David Feltscheer tries, David Harvey 2 cons).  Referee: Ian Smith

West Harbour celebrate their last gasp win over Eastern Suburbs – Photo: seiserphotography.com

West Harbour v Eastern Suburbs

In a nail-biting finish to the Concord Oval clash, Wests sneaked a one-point win over Easts, outscoring them by two tries to one.  Excellent five-pointers from Tim Hansen and Tito Mua were complemented by the boot of flyhalf Jack Debreczeni, who racked up 13 of his team’s points. While Wests remain in seventh spot, the loss sees Easts drop one place to 10th on the overall ladder.

West Harbour 23 (Tim Hansen, Tito Mua tries, Jack Debreczeni 2 cons, 3 pens) d Eastern Suburbs 22 (Keleti Vaingalo try, Henry Hudson con, 5 pens).  Referee: Richard Goswell

Randwick v Penrith

It wasn’t an easy day at the office for Penrith this weekend as they travelled down to a soggy Coogee Oval to be met by a team with a point to prove, following last week’s one-point, 80th minute loss to the Rats. Galloping Greens’ prop Faitotoa Asa was a standout, crashing over for a dominating try and putting in a number of devastating runs up the middle.  Although Penrith scrumhalf George Magalogo got one for a committed Emus side, in the end Penrith conceded 12 tries in a one-sided affair.   Randwick’s win, only their second of the season, sees them move up one place to ninth overall.

Randwick 80 (Cayden Matehaere 2, Nathan Paila 2, Mark Koteczky 2, Faitotoa Asa, Timothy Wright, Terrence Hepetema, Rennie Lautolo, Ethan Ford, Brock Davies tries, Cayden Matehaere 10 cons) d Penrith 7 (George Magalogo try, Fokolulu Taumalolo con). Referee: Michael Hogan

Eastwood v Parramatta

Despite the convincing scoreline, the Woodies were made to work for their win, with the Two Blues showing considerable muscle to batter and bruise the rugby powerhouse. In the end though it was Woods’ forwards that got the job done and their ability to frustrate their opposition saw them run in some well constructed tries, with Hugh Roach’s double the result of some good continuity.  The bonus-point win sees Eastwood cement second place on the ladder, equal on points with leaders Southern Districts by virtue of their impressive six bonus point haul.

Eastwood 47 (Hugh Roach 2, Hugh Perrett, Mick Snowden, Jarred Barry, Nick Batger tries; Ben Batger 4 cons, 3 pens) d Parramatta 18 (Myles Hunkin, Adam Coleman, Tukia Muli tries, Dan Yakopo pen). Referee: Edward Martin.

Southern Districts v Gordon

Undefeated Souths retain top spot on the Shute Shield competition on Saturday with a convincing maximum points win over Gordon, who never looked like a real threat to the Rebels. Baffled by the speed and footwork of winger Oleni Ngungutau, Gordon couldn’t stop the precision and organization of the Souths’ backline who tore holes in the defence to run away with the win in the second half.

Southern Districts 43 (Oleni Ngungutau 2, Alex Gibbon, Grayson Hart, Luke Smart, Jed Holloway tries, Rohan Saifoloi 5 cons, pen) d Gordon 10 (Mark Johnson, Terry Preston tries). Referee: William Houston

Sydney University v Northern Suburbs

Opening Round 6 with a floodlit Friday night fixture on University Oval, last season’s premiers proved they are still a force to be reckoned with despite an indifferent start to the season. Seizing on some Norths’ errors and easy penalties, the Students were able to add to the visitors’ frustrations, punishing their mistakes to notch up a convincing home victory that sees them rise one place to fifth on the ladder, hot on the heels of fourth-placed Norths.

Sydney University 41 (Tim Davidson 2, Liam Winton, Tom Boidin, Tolu Latu tries, Jock Merriman 5 cons, 2 pens) d Northern Suburbs 13 (Liam Windon, Michael Freeman tries, Corey Brown pen). Referee: James Leckie