Southern Districts have set their stall out for 2013 with victory over fellow contenders Eastwood
Photo: Paul Seiser Photography

by NSW Rugby –

Eastwood v Southern Districts

Southern Districts have started the season the way they were hoping to end it last year, holding on in a tough match defeating Eastwood 18-16, after Lachie Turner missed a last second penalty goal from 55 metres out.

Rebels captain Jono Hayes was proud of the effort the boys put in to defeat Eastwood at home.  “I’m real proud of the boys for their effort, we defended for 30minutes on our line, and we kept them out which is good. It’s always really tough coming out against the Woods.”

For the Woodies, the lack of a driving attack let them down and left their movements to the tryline stilted. Said Lachie Turner at the end of the match, “As a team and individually I thought we were off, I was off and we gave away a game we should have never given away.”

Eastwood struggled to breach the Rebels defence, relying on penalties throughout the first half to earn points. The Rebels however, crossed the try line within the first five minutes.

Penalties for offside hurt the Rebels though, awarding the Woodies nine points and resulting in Rebels flanker, Mick Kauter, receiving a yellow card.

The Woodies were unable to convert the advantage into points and it was the 14-man Rebels side who managed to find gaps, with Oleni Ngungutau crossing the line for the team’s second try.

Eastwood finally managed to find the try line late within the second half, and received a penalty 55 metres from the try line on the bell, but were unable to convert it to steal the win.

Southern Districts 18 (Lopeti Timani, Oleni Ngungutau tries; Rohan Saifoloi con, 2 pens; Yellow card Mick Kauter) d Eastwood 16 (Mitch Lees try; Jimmy Hilgendorf con, 3 pens) at T. G. Millner Field. Referee Ian Smith

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In a strong, physical tussle, both Manly and Gordon struggled to find their rhythm with several unforced errors interrupting the match. However, the Marlins were able to capitalise on the Highlanders errors, scoring four tries.

Manly 28 (Kotoni Ale, Will Helu, Brian Sefanaia, Dave Porecki tries; Brendan Hartmann 4 cons) d Gordon 11 (Terry Preston try, 2 pens) at Chatswood Oval. Referee Andrew Lees

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Northern Suburbs were able to upset Eastern Suburbs at home, earning themselves a bonus point win. Norths held strong throughout the match, keeping the Beasties to just one try and scoring four of their own.

Northern Suburbs 27 (Corey Brown 2, Pat Sio, Pete Schuster tries; Scott Daruda 1 pen, Corey Brown 2 cons) d Eastern Suburbs 14 (Ryan Hodgson try; Angus Sinclair 3 pens) at Woollahra Oval. Referee Damien Mitchelmore

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Warringah was just too good for Penrith, crossing the try line 12 times in a match that saw Penrith player Keori Okati receive two yellow cards resulting in a red card, suspending him from the game. The Rats were just too good with the added man, outplaying the Penrith defence.

Warringah 74 (Dave Feltscheer 3, Josh Holmes 2, Scott Bradley, Conrad Gillingham, Dylan Smouha, N Daley, Michael Dalton, Hamish Angus, Boyd Killingworth tries; Hamish Angus 2 cons, Scott Bradley 5 cons) d Penrith 10 (Paula Katoa try; Fokolulu Taumalolo pen, con; Red Card Keori Okati) at Pittwater Rugby Park. Referee Richard Goswell

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West Harbour 28 (Dylan Taikato-Simpson, Alofa Alofa, Tom Games, Macquire Tatola tries; Winston Wilson con, 2 pens) d Randwick 26 (Ethan Ford, Terrence Hepetema tries; Toby Browne 2 cons, 4 pens) at Concord Oval. Referee Michael Hogan – RUGBY NEWS MATCH REPORT TO FOLLOW

Sydney University 44 (Fetuli Talanoa 2, Tim Davidson, Michael Hodge, Tom Carter, Jock Merriman, Will Skelton tries; Jock Merriman 3 cons, pen) d Parramatta 21 (Andrew Cox 2, Myles Hunkin tries; Tom Woods 3 cons) at Merrylands RSL Club Rugby Park. Referee William Houston – RUGBY NEWS MATCH REPORT TO FOLLOW