Shute Shield: Manly makes it 13 wins on the trot

MANLY rolled on as they notched a perfect 13th straight win, defeating Parramatta 28-15 to keep their runaway lead atop the Shute Shield ladder.

Lock Kane Douglas, who is expected to announce his departure from Australian rugby this week. Waratahs return to training after bye week. Moore Park.

THE MANLY machine rolled on as they notched a perfect 13th straight win on Sunday, defeating Parramatta 28-15 to keep their runaway lead atop the Shute Shield ladder.

After a weekend when all of the top-five teams recorded victories, it appears the top four is a formality while the race for the final two playoff spots will be closely fought.

Manly, Warringah, Eastwood and Sydney University have separated from the pack, with Uni 15 points ahead of fifth-placed Randwick while Manly is 12 ahead of second-placed Warringah.

Chasing behind, Randwick, Parramatta, Southern Districts, West Harbour and Eastern Suburbs are separated by 11 points and will battle for the final two spots in the six-team finals series.

Randwick defeated West Harbour 38-26 in a crucial result at Concord Oval.

Eastwood smashed Gordon 55-10, with winger John Grant, centre Michael McDougall and halfback Mick Snowden all grabbing doubles, while Wallaby and Waratahs prop Benn Robinson was strong throughout.

Souths hammered Penrith 44-22, with skipper Kane Douglas a star performer. Douglas lined up alongside his younger brother Jake for the first time in the second-row, and captained Souths to a much-needed victory against cellar-dwellers Penrith.

Waratahs utility Ben Volavola was outstanding at five-eighth for the Rebels while backrowers Marcus Carbone and Jonathan Hayes picked up two tries each.

The win lifted Souths above West Harbour and just one point behind both Randwick and Parramatta with five games remaining.

Uni’s 39-19 victory over Norths has essentially ended the finals hopes of the latter, who are third-last on the table only above Penrith and Gordon.

Waratahs flanker Mitchell Chapman made a strong return from injury for Eastern Suburbs, but it wasn’t enough for his side as they went down 26-11 to Warringah in Pittwater.

The victory for the Rats closed the gap at the top for 24 hours, but Manly’s juggernaut side disposed of the Two Blues relatively comfortably to restore their buffer at the top.

Tries from Malieto Hingano, Lui Siale and skipper Greg Peterson ensured the Marlins’ undefeated run was kept intact.