Highlanders outgun Randwick at home
» Back to News Listing
Saturday, 5 April 2008
NSWRU Media Unit
Gordon have bounced back from a 37-point thrashing in round one to collect their first win of the season with a 28-26 victory in the Tooheys New Shute Shield today at Chatswood Oval.
Gordon's Billy Rainima is collared by Metui Maile
Gordon's Billy Rainima is collared by Metui Maile
Tim Davidson scores for Sydney University
Tim Davidson scores for Sydney University
Ben Alexander on the attack for Norths
Ben Alexander on the attack for Norths
Sam Harris looks to offload
Sam Harris looks to offload
The Highlanders were forced to overcome a half-time deficit and scoring three tries to Randwick's four, however their composure during the second half was enough to see them home in a match which went right down to the wire.
Gordon started on top and were quickly rewarded with a penalty to David Harvey in the fourth minute, and soon after were denied the chance to further their lead when Nifo Nifo was called for a forward pass that released Terry Preston to the line.
Randwick showed their first glimpse of brilliance when Ratu Nasiganiyavi broke down the left and almost put Matt Nethery on a passage to the line.
Both sides showed a good combination of territorial kicking and a willingness to run the ball, and in the 15th minute Randwick were rewarded with the first try.
Rampaging centre Metui Maile made a good break 40m out, and after he sped towards the fullback merely needed to draw the last defender to put HSBC Waratah Matt Carraro away.
Randwick continued to maintain the upper hand, however Gordon scrambled well and forced the visitors into costly turnovers.
Their resolute defence bore fruit in the 25th minute when back to back penalties moved the Highlanders downfield, and when Harvey slotted his second penalty Gordon were back in front 6-5.
Soon after Randwick showed their hand when they turned down a penalty which would have given them the lead. They reaped the benefit when Nasiganiyavi used his size and speed to tiptoe down the left touchline to score.
Randwick had a penalty opportunity to extend their lead on the stroke of half time, but Toby Browne's attempt went wide leaving them with a 12-6 advantage at the break.
The Galloping Greens benefitted from 64% of possession in the first half, however within a minute of coming back from the break they found themselves behind.
After Gordon forced Randwick into a five metre lineout, an errant throw landed straight in the hands of Highlanders skipper Ed Gower who dropped over the line for a converted try.
Randwick hit back almost immediately when Nasiganiyavi again used his speed and power down the left flank to grab a double, his second in as many weeks, and when Browne converted they were back out to a 19-13 lead.
Gordon started to gain the ascendency at the breakdown, and it was apt that their good use of hands in the ruck under the ELVs saw a turnover turn into a try, with speedster Terry Preston streaking away to reduce the deficit to one.
Another Harvey penalty saw Gordon retake the lead, and it wasn't long before Preston was away for his second putting the Highlanders out to a 28-19 advantage.
The impact of Waratahs half Josh Valentine was just what the wilting Randwick side needed, however it was a stroke of luck which brought them within range in the dying stages when a charge down was turned into a converted try by replacement Danny Kroll and the margin was back to two.
Gordon remained composed in the final stages, and although they were in danger of conceding a penalty in their own half in the dying stages managed to hold on for their first win of the season, 28-26.
Gordon 28 (Terry Preston 2, Ed Gower tries; David Harvey 3 pens, 2 cons) d Randwick 26 (Ratu Nasiganiyavi 2, Matt Carraro, Danny Kroll tries; Toby Browne 2 cons) at Manly Oval. Half-Time: Randwick 12-6. Referee: George Ayoub
EASTERN SUBURBS v PENRITH at Woollahra Oval
Eastern Suburbs scored eight tries and a half century for the second time in as many weeks in their 51-22 victory over Penrith at Woollahra Oval.
Brumbies rookie Afusipa Taumeopeau scored a double, as did centre Anton LaVin who added to his touchdown in the opening round. Catchpole Medallist Gavin Debartolo was one of six Easts tryscorers on his way to a 16-point haul.
Penrith captain Sia'a Taveuveu scored twice to bring his season tally to three, however after being right in the game at half-time (Easts 22-15), the Emus were simply outgunned in the second half.
Eastern Suburbs 51 (Anton LaVin 2, Afusipa Taumeopeau 2, Tom Egan, Lloyd Jones, Daniel Aaron, Gavin Debartolo tries; Gavin Debartolo 4 cons, pen) d Penrith 22 (Sia'a Taveuveu 2, Campbell Sione tries; Jeremy Su'a con, pen, Jono Rolfe con) at Woollahra Oval. Half-Time: Eastern Suburbs 22-15. Referee: Daniel Cheever
NORTHERN SUBURBS v EASTWOOD at North Sydney Oval
Prop Nick Lah crossed twice as Northern Suburbs put in an impressive 80-minute performance to defeat Eastwood 56-15 at North Sydney Oval.
Norths scored four tries and 28 points in each half, with Todd Sly having a perfect day with eight conversions from as many attempts.
HSBC Junior Waratahs Chris Thomson and Andrew Smith each scored for Norths, while Waratahs Super 14 squad member Ben Batger scored ten of Eastwood's 15 points.
Northern Suburbs 56 (Nick Lah 2, Chris Thomson, Will Hunt, Anthony Shortis, Andrew Smith, David Bond, Conrad Starr; Todd Sly 8 cons) d Eastwood 15 (Simon Norris, Ben Batger tries; Ben Batger con, pen) at North Sydney Oval. Half-Time: Northern Suburbs 28-10. Referee: Damien Mitchelmore
PARRAMATTA V WARRINGAH at Two Blues Park
Parramatta came back strongly in the second half however they couldn't come away with the points at home, with Warringah claiming their first victory of the season 34-22 at Two Blues Park.
The Rats were outscored 14-12 in the second half, however their first half performance was strong enough for them to come away with a bonus point win.
HSBC Waratahs centre Sam Harris scored twice for Warringah, while Clint Eadie also crossed in a 14-point haul.
Warringah 34 (Sam Harris 2, Clint Eadie, Andrew Wiles, Sam Hutcherson; Clint Eadie 3 cons, pen) d Parramatta 22 (Andrew Cox 2, David Alo tries; Josh Weeks 2 cons, pen) at Two Blues Park. Half-time: Warringah 22-8. Referee: James Leckie
WEST HARBOUR V SYDNEY UNIVERSITY at Concord Oval
Sydney University had too much firepower for West Harbour, running away for their second victory of the season 46-22.
With the match tied at 22-all after a first half which saw more than a point a minute, the Students kept rolling on in the second stanza to deny the Pirates a perfect start to the season.
Exciting prop Jerry Yanuyanutawa collected an unlikely double for Uni who sit with Easts and Norths atop the Tooheys New Shute Shield ladder with a bonus point victory from each of the opening two rounds.
Sydney University 46 (Jerry Yanuyanutawa 2, Nathan Charles, Tim Davidson, Hayden Bushell, Lachlan Mitchell; Daniel Halangahu 5 cons, 2 pens) d West Harbour 22 (Sam Raymond 2, John Sinisa; Ben Martin 2 cons, pen) at Concord Oval. Half-Time: 22-all. Referee: Nathan Pearce
MANLY V SOUTHERN DISTRICTS at Manly Oval
After being denied in the second half last week against Randwick, Southern Districts came from behind today to defeat Manly in a nail-biting match at Manly Oval.
The Rebels were down 14-7 at the break, however outscored the Marlins 16-8 in the second forty to collect a one-point victory.
Adam D'Arcy scored a try on his way to 17 of Manly's 22 points, however the Marlins will now be hoping to kick their season up a gear after gaining just one bonus point from two home games to start 2008.
Southern Districts 23 (Andrew Barrett, Sean Rudder, Michael Black 2 cons, 2 pens; Darren Kapene pen) d Manly 22 (Elvis Taione, Adam D'Arcy tries; Adam D'Arcy 4 pens) at Forshaw Park. Half-Time: Manly 14-7. Referee: Michael Blair