As the only undefeated team in the 2012 Shute Shield, Manly now sit on top of the table after recording a 28-15 victory over Northern Suburbs at Manly Oval. The Marlins secured their third bonus point of the season to leapfrog Eastwood to top spot after the reigning premiers were comprehensively beaten by Eastern Suburbs 48-18 at T.G Milner.
As the only undefeated team in the 2012 Shute Shield, Manly now sit on top of the table after recording a 28-15 victory over Northern Suburbs at Manly Oval. The Marlins secured their third bonus point of the season to leapfrog Eastwood to top spot after the reigning premiers were comprehensively beaten by Eastern Suburbs 48-18 at T.G Milner.
In other round four matches, Parramatta have secured their third straight win of the season, defeating Warringah 22-18 at Merrylands RSL Rugby Park while West Harbour record their first win of the season, overcoming Penrith 25-23 at Concord Oval. Sydney University defeated Gordon 27-25 in a thrilling match at Chatswood Oval whilst Southern Districts have secured a bonus point win, defeating Randwick 40-24 at Coogee Oval.
Eastern Suburbs 48 (3 Jordan Brown, 2 Charlie Clifton, Anton Lavin tries; Angus Sinclair 5 cons, 2 pens, Harry Bennett con) d Eastwood 18 (Shane Collins, Steve Cummins tries; Pierre Hola 2 pens, Shanin Proctor con)
Eastern Suburbs have beaten the reigning Shute Shield premiers Eastwood this afternoon at T.G Milner, giving their title prospects a massive boost. The Beasts were switched on for the entire match and capitalised on a number of opportunities that saw them pile on the points against the reigning premiers. The loss was made even worse for the Woodies as a number of key players were injured during the match, including flyhalf Pierre Hola (pectorial muscle), halfback Mick Snowden (hamstring) and their captain and No.8 Hugh Perrett (groin).
It was a steady start to the match as both sides sought to play for field position, with much of the ball kept in the forwards. However, that was to change as Eastern Suburbs opened the scoring through some simple backline passing that resulted in fullback Charlie Clifton grabbing his first try of the match. Flyhalf Angus Sinclair converted to make the scores 7-0.
Eastwood opened their scoring through the boot of Pierre Hola, who slotted three points after the Beasts conceded a penalty at the breakdown. The Woodies seemed to control the match for the first 20 minutes but lacked the ball security to convert possession into points.
A throw error at the lineout by the Woodies led to the Beasts extending the lead to 14-3 after halfback Luke Irwin capitalised on the loose ball and the referee's advantage, setting up flanker Jordan Brown for an easy try.
Towards the end of the half, Eastwood captain and newly signed Melbourne Rebel Hugh Perrett left the pitch with a niggling groin injury. However this did not dampen the Woodies' mood, as fullback Shane Collins capitalised on an Eastern Suburbs' mistake during a counter attack, crossing the line to make the scores 14-8.
Eastern Suburbs hit back after conceding the try immediately with a penalty shot to Sinclair after some aggressive counter rucking by the Beasts forward pack, pushing the lead out to 17-8 at the half.
The Beasts came out with a bang in the second half and looked switched on after a great kick chase resulted in a turnover ball over in Woodies' 22. Sinclair then swung it wide through the backs and, after some forward pick and drives, Brown got a sniff of the line and barged over for his second try with some help from his teammates.
Eastwood will rue a number of handling errors that allowed opportunities to go begging. The Woodies' were breaking the defence, however finding the try line became a difficulty, and they only managed to grab three points through the boot of Hola making the scores 17-11.
Clifton's second try, set up nicely by captain and No.8 Paulisi Tamaoupeau and converted by Sinclair, put the result beyond doubt. Their confidence lifted after securing the bonus point try and was evident as the Beasts kept the ball in hand. The mounting pressure was too much for the Woodies, who gave up another penalty to Sinclair and a try to centre Anton Lavin. Sinclair's conversion -- his fifth from five - pushed the lead to 41-11
The Beasts didn't let up and showed some brilliant counter attacking rugby between Lavin and replacement back Harry Bennet that led to Brown's third try. Bennet converted the flanker's hatrick making it 48-11.
To Eastwood's credit they did not give up and grabbed a consolation try through Steve Cummins after their attacking lineout finally paid off. Substitute halfback Shanin Proctor converted which made the final score 48-18.
Manly 28 (Harry Bergelin, Alex Miles, Jacob Woodhouse, Sione Ala tries; Sione Ala con, 2 pens) d Northern Suburbs 15 (Rory Walton, Bill Meaks tries; Mitch Walton con, pen)
Manly have now won four in a row and have taken top spot on the ladder after defeating Northern Suburbs at Manly Oval. The skills of league convert Sione Ala were on display as the winger grabbed a try of his own and bagged eight points with the boot, helping his side to a well-earned victory. The Marlins will look for five in a row next week when they face Penrith. Northern Suburbs now sit on eighth spot on the ladder and will look to regroup after the loss as they take on Randwick at North Sydney Oval next week.
Parramatta 22 (Ryan Aniseko, Sam Yakopo, Tom Woods tries; Tom Woods 2 cons, pen) d Warringah 18 (2 David Feltscheer tries; Hamish Angus con, 2 pens)
Parramatta has now won three in a row with a victory over Warringah at Merrylands RSL Rugby Park. Fullback Tom Woods starred for the Two Blues with a try of his own and four points with the boot. The Two Blues have shaken off their critics with the win and the signs are that their home ground at Merrylands could become a fortress for the side this season.
Fullback David Feltscheer grabbed a double, making the try line for the third week running, however his team were not able to grab a win. The loss for Warringah means that they sit on ninth spot on the ladder and will need to grab a win next week against West Harbour to have any hope of cracking the top six.
Southern Districts 40 (2 Andrew Leota, Jed Holloway, Sam Latunipulu tries; Rohan Saifoloi 4 cons, 4 pens) d Randwick 24 (2 Tim Wright, Ethan Ford, Peter Samu tries; Dominic Bower 2 cons)
Southern Districts have taken a comprehensive bonus point win over Randwick at Coogee Oval and are now sitting in second spot on the ladder. The game was dominated by the Rebels' forward pack as three of their big men found the line with lock Andrew Leota grabbing a double. Flanker Sam Latunipulu found the line too making it the fourth week that he has grabbed a five pointer.
Randwick are yet to post a win in 2012 and will be disappointed with their loss. To the Wicks' credit, they came into the match with a new look backline and managed to grab some points with flyhalf Ethan Ford and fullback Tim Wright finding the line. Randwick will face a tough Northern Suburbs outfit next week and will need to lift their standard if they want to grab their first win of the season.
West Harbour 25 (Tito Mua, Oleni Ngungutau tries; Shaun Treweek 5 pens) d Penrith 23 (Tyrone Emelio, Junior Taavilli, Mark Murray tries; Fokolulu Taumalolo con, Fred Tuaa 2 pens)
West Harbour have secured their first win of the season in a tight battle over Penrith at Concord Oval. The match was close for the entire match, however it was the boot of Pirates' flyhalf Shaun Treweek who kicked 15 points that saw West Harbour grab a tight win over the Emus. Fullback Oleni Ngungutau has now scored a try in all four rounds this season and will be pleased that his side have finally grabbed their first win.
Penrith will be disappointed that they weren't able to grab a win over West Harbour as they outscored the Pirates with three tries to two. It will be a tough task for the Emus next week as they face top of the table Manly at home.
Sydney University 27 (Pieter van der Merwe, Matt Schawagger, David Fong, Kane Morgan tries; Stuart Dunbar con, David Fong con, Daniel Kelly pen) d Gordon 25
Eric Maroni, Tom Matthews, Tom Hill tries; Tom Hill 2 con, 2 pens)
A try in the last play and a sideline conversion from substitute halfback David Fong saw Sydney University beat Gordon in a thrilling match at Chatswood Oval. The Students were pushed for the entire match and showed great resolve and depth within their club to beat Gordon away from home. The bonus point win means that Sydney University sit on third spot on the ladder, making for a mouth watering match up next week against Southern Districts.
The loss for Gordon marks the second week in a row that they have let a win slip through their hands, and will be fuming after letting in a try after the buzzer sounded. The Highlanders' will need to play the full 80 if they want to beat Eastwood next week.
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