Randwick fly high to edge Rats in thriller
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Sunday, 7 September 2008
NSWRU Media Unit
Randwick has survived a comeback from a fast-finishing Warringah outfit to win their Tooheys New Shute Shield Elimination Semifinal at Woollahra Oval.
Ratu Nasiganiyavi dives over for Randwick's first try.
Ratu Nasiganiyavi dives over for Randwick's first try. [2008 Tooheys New Shute Shield Elimination Semifinal - Randwick v Warringah at Woollahra Oval]
Warringah lock Sitaleki Timani.
Warringah lock Sitaleki Timani. [2008 Tooheys New Shute Shield Elimination Semifinal - Randwick v Warringah at Woollahra Oval]
The Galloping Greens scored four tries to three to outlast the Rats 30-24 and set up a Grand Final qualifier against Gordon next week.
In a high quality match, Randwick never trailed but were lucky to hold on, with Warringah throwing a forward pass after full-time with the tryline within reach.
Clint Eadie had the opportunity to post points for Warringah with an early penalty attempt, however after it missed Tim Walsh made no mistake with his first shot giving Randwick a 3-0 advantage after seven minutes.
Ratu Nasiganiyavi looked to have gone over for Randwick in the 13th minute but was ruled in touch just before the line. However soon after he was over, running off a great offload from Sekope Kepu.
Walsh's conversion extended the margin to ten points.
Warringah hit back almost immediately with some individual brilliance from Eadie. The Warringah centre had only the fullback to beat with a winger in support, but instead of throwing the pass he chipped the fullback, regathered and scored under the posts.
Randwick maintained the upper hand as the half wore on and were rewarded with a try to Mat Whittleston, however again Warringah hit back with Ed Doyle crossing out wide. Eadie's sideline conversion closed the gap to just one point with six minutes remaining in the first half.
Stephen Hoiles capitalised on some loose passing at the back from Warringah in the 35th minute when he intercepted and ran 20 metres to score.
Eadie nailed a penalty after the siren setting up a great second half with Randwick leading 22-17.
The Galloping Greens started the second half in the best way possible, with Morgan Turinui crossing less than 60 seconds after returning to the field.
Sekope Kepu (Randwick) and Ross Duncan (Warringah) were sin binned for fighting in the 51st minute, and soon after Walsh extended the lead to 30-17 with a timely penalty.
Warringah continued to look dangerous, with scrumhalf Brett Sheehan and lock Sitaleki Timani repeatedly setting the Randwick defence on its heels. However as the clock ticked towards full-time it looked like the Rats were going to fall shot.
That was until the 73rd minute when speedster Willie Bishop was on the end of a Timani line break and scored under the posts.
Eadie's conversion reduced the margin to six points entering the last five minutes.
A turnover in the 76th minute looked to have wrapped up the game for Randwick, however Kepu's pass was put down by Nasiganiyavi who was set for a 50m run to the line.
That gave the momentum back to Warringah who continued to attack right to the finish. Their final foray came unstuck right on full-time when the last pass was ruled forward as the Rats crossed the line.
Randwick now qualify for next Sunday's Second Preliminary Final against Gordon at Pittwater Rugby Park. Sydney University will play Eastern Suburbs in the First Preliminary Final next Saturday at Coogee Oval in the ABC TV Match of the Day.
Randwick 30 (Ratu Nasiganiyavi, Mat Whittleston, Stephen Hoiles, Morgan Turinui tries; Tim Walsh 2 cons, 2 pens) d Warringah 24 (Clint Eadie, Ed Doyle, Willie Bishop tries; Clint Eadie 3 cons, pen) at Woollahra Oval. Half-time: Randwick 22-17. Referee: Nathan Pearce.
By the clock
5th - Clint Eadie missed penalty goal.
7th - Tim Walsh penalty goal. Randwick 3 Warringah 0.
16th - Ratu Nasiganiyavi try; Tim Walsh conversion. Randwick 10 Warringah 0.
22nd - Clint Eadie try; Clint Eadie conversion. Randwick 10 Warringah 7.
29th - Mat Whittleston try; Tim Walsh missed conversion. Randwick 15 Warringah 7.
32nd - Ed Doyle try; Clint Eadie conversion. Randwick 15 Warringah 14.
35th - Stephen Hoiles try; Tim Walsh conversion. Randwick 22 Warringah 14.
40th(+) - Clint Eadie penalty goal. Randwick 22 Warringah 17.
41st - Morgan Turinui try; Tim Walsh missed conversion. Randwick 27 Warringah 17.
51st - Ross Duncan (Warringah) yellow card for fighting.
51st - Sekope Kepu (Randwick) yellow card for fighting.
52nd - Tim Walsh penalty goal. Randwick 30 Warringah 17.
68th - Tim Walsh missed drop goal.
69th - Tim Walsh missed penalty goal.
73rd - Willie Bishop try; Clint Eadie conversion. Randwick 30 Warringah 24.