Shute Shield 2020: results, injuries, ladder, news, top try scorers, debuts in round 4
There were tries, debuts and injuries galore in round four of the Shute Shield. The round four wrap and how clubs are looking for their next outing.
Hills Shire
Don't miss out on the headlines from Hills Shire. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- NRL Schoolboy Cup livestreaming: how to watch
- Rugby Sevens star joins TV commentary team
- Phil Kearns snares top rugby job
It was a much anticipated match with a surprising scoreline.
Gordon confirmed what most teams have been saying since the start of the season – they are among the favourites to win the Shute Shield in 2020.
Five teams remain undefeated after four rounds with a new team sitting atop the leaders board.
Defending competition champions Sydney University are in top spot with four wins from all four outings this season with Randwick boasting the same win loss record.
JOURNEY: From England rugby to Shute Shield
BIG CHOICE: Why young Pirates star chose rugby over AFL
Gordon, Southern Districts and Norths, who had the bye this round, are also undefeated with three wins from their three matches.
Penrith, West Harbour and Western Sydney have yet to record a victory this season.
Sydney Uni 41 Penrith 3
The defending champions recorded another hefty win to show they are on track for a third consecutive crown in 2020.
Nicholas Champion de Crespigny and James Armstrong both scored two tries for the students whose other points came from Banjo Travers, James Armstrong, Tim Lilomaiava and James Kane.
Dean Blore scored Penrith’s only points off a penalty goal.
There was also good news on the injuries front for the Students who fielded a young side in the match.
“We are pretty good with injuries, we are getting through, we are building still, getting better each week,’’ said coach Michael Hodges.
Tim Lilomaiava and Ciaran Loh both made their first grade debuts.
HULKING: The Two Blues player out for impact
SOS CALL: From chicken shop to Shute Shield debut
Eastwood 20 Easts 17
Eastwood recorded a fighting victory over Easts at home but have suffered with injuries to key players.
Coach Ben Batger’s side were able to hold off Easts despite being two men down due to yellow cards in the final stanza of the game.
“It’s really hard to beat Easts at Easts and they really needed that win going into the bye,” he said.
“We just wanted it a bit more. It wasn’t a pretty game by any stretch.”
More disheartening is the injury loss of Jed Gillespie and Sione Talakai.
“It’s calf. It may be six week for both of them,” Batger said.
SEVENS STARS: Olympics to club rugby for guns
THANKS MATE: How Facebook triggered US rugby post
Manly 29 Hunter Wildfires 29
Manly coach Matt McGoldrick summed it up pretty simply. “It wasn't out best day.’’
His side has been ravaged by injury in recent weeks and nothing changed against Hunter on Saturday.
“We may have lost another 10, it’s a curse,’' McGoldrick said.
Brenden Hartmann suffered a calf injury in the match which follows on from a series of injuries, including captain Hames Ohmsen breaking his hand last round.
Manly tries were scored by Kotoni Ale, James Hilterbrand, Yool Yool, Max Douglas and Semi Camaisala.
Hunters tries were scored by Rob Buserau, Chad Northcott, Nimilote Qio and Michael Moloney.
Mitch Tye and Semi Camaisala made their Shute Shield debuts for Manly in the match.
West Harbour 0 Randwick 22
The Pirates were left scoreless at Drummoyne Oval.
Randwick scored their points via tries from Triston Riley, David Horwitz and sevens rugby star Dylan Pietsch.
“Tom Piroddi was huge in the engine room for us, plenty of physicality in his carries and defensively he was outstanding,’’ said Galloping Greens coach Ben McCormack.
“Tyzak Jordan at 9 started to find some form and Simon Kennewell and Dylan Pietsch were standouts on both sides of the ball as well.
“Most pleased to keep a clean score sheet again this week, that desperation and determination to keep the opposition to no tries is a very good habit to be in.’’
Gordon 52 Warringah 7
It’s been a tough opening to the season for Warringah who have been pitted against some top teams and have managed to take just one win from four outings.
And the news just got worse on Saturday when they faced the highly-fancied Gordon.
The Highlanders put on an eight-try show against the team that finished runners up last year.
“Days like that don’t happen very often,’’ said coach Darren Coleman.
“I have to keep pinching myself. Unless something pops up this week we should be able to field the same starting 15 for four weeks.’’
Hooker Mahe Vailanu scored twice for Gordon with the other points collected by Brandon Quinn, James Widders-Leece, Harrison Goddard, Ahmu Tuimalealiifano, Lucas Price and Rodney Iona.
Tyson Davis scored the first try of the game for Warringah.
Southern Districts 37 Western Sydney Two Blues 25
Southern Districts dominated the match from the start with Keitel Bramston the first to go over followed by Liam Dwyer.
Viliami Latu also scored along with Phil Potgieter.
For the Two Blues, tries were scored by Tuitakau Kioa, Kalafi Pongi and Jacob Delailoa.
“We are still finding our feet, we have a lot of growth in us still,’’ said South Districts coach Todd Louden.
TOP TRYSCORERS AFTER ROUND 4
Ed Craig, Brandon Quinn, Max Douglas 4 tries, Henry Clunies-Ross, Matthew Gonzalez, James Kane, Mahe Vailanu, Nicholas Champion de Crespigny, Dylan Pietsch, Charlie Smith, Harrison Goddard, Reece Mau’ 3 tries.
LADDER AFTER ROUND FOUR
Sydney Uni
Randwick,
Gordon
Northern S.
Eastwood
Southern Districts
Manly
Eastern Suburbs
Warringah
NHRU Wildfires
Penrith
West Harbour
Western Sydney