by Paul Cook -   ********************** THE WARM-UP: ********************** With a Minor Premiership under their belts and the best defensive record in the 2nd grade competition to their name, Eastern Suburbs had every right to feel like they were the team to beat going into the title decider. If it wasn’t for the fact that the side they faced on the big day was local rivals Randwick. With one win each from their regular season clashes – interestingly both achieved on each other’s home ground – all bets were off. But while Easts were in search of a trophy to rubber stamp their marked improvements as a club in 2016, the Wicks were keen to bury the demons of last year’s one point loss to Sydney University at the same stage. One thing was for certain. It would be fiercely contested.   ********************** THE BREAKDOWN: ********************** The opening exchanges were fairly even as both sides probed for territory off the boot, only an early lineout steal and s