Shute Shield 2020 results: round 1 scores, injuries, debutants, news
One club has lost its captain to injury for the season and another sent an 18-year-old to make his debut as the Shute Shield kicked off on the weekend with close calls, a blowout and a few surprises.
Manly
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- From Two Blues ball boy to Gordon captain
- ‘Freakish’ Southern Districts stonemason to be a big hit
- Manly rising star keen to make big impact
There were big score, big upsets, big hits and injuries to big names as the COVID-19 delayed Shute Shield finally kicked off on the weekend.
Sydney University showed they not only have their eye firmly on the prize of a third consecutive title but also bringing up new talent as they kicked off the new Shute Shield season with a feisty victory at Rat Park.
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Sydney Uni coach Michael Hodge sent multiple debutants into the fray in the grand final rematch from last season with Warringah taken out by the defending champions 36-27.
“It’s a great start. Any time they (Warringah) are difficult, let alone in round one,” Hodge said.
Hodge dug deep off his bench in the game with good result.
“Our bench offered a good impact,” said Hodge whose debutants included Darcy Breen, Luke Porter, Ofa Manuofetoa, Tom Wilson and teenager Hugh Bokenham.
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“We have a really good second grade side, a lot of guys who could definitely be playing first grade.”
Sydney Uni’s next-up opponents Manly also tasted victory with their 28-5 defeat of the Western Sydney Two Blues.
Coach Matt McGoldrick described Manly’s first hitout in the Shute Shield as a bit “clunky” but full of character.
“Our captain (Jimmy Ohmsen) pulled out of training Thursday and didn’t play and on Saturday our five eighth Sam Lane got injured in the first few minutes,” he said.
McGoldrick is hopeful of having his captain back for the game against the Students this Saturday.
Southern Districts suffered a major injury blow in the first round with captain Marcus Carbone likely out for the season.
“An ACL for the second year in a row,” coach Todd Louden said.
Louden said he was pleased with the character his showed side after the loss of Carbone early in the match-up with Eastwood.
“It was good to knock off one of the competition favourites,” he said, with Southern Districts too good for Eastwood in the 34-19 win on home turf.
Gordon were also winners in their match against Easts, winning 35-24.
“It was just a great day to be back playing footy,’’ said Gordon coach Darren Coleman.
“We jumped out to a 17-0 lead but they always threatened to come back.’’
It was a well received win for Gordon who were knocked out of the Shute Shield title race by Easts in 2019.
In another emphatic result Norths belted West Harbour 32-3 at Drummoyne Oval.
Connor Winchester collected the majority of the points for Norths with three conversions and a try.
The blowout of the round was Randwick’s 50-7 victory over competition newcomers Newcastle.
Randwick shared the scoring around with Jackson Mohi scoring twice.
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