Shute Shield 2020 results: round 3 scores, injuries, debutants, news
The cream is rising to the top of the Shute Shield after three rounds with a trio of teams recording their third straight win in the premier club rugby competition.
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Randwick has moved into the lead of the Shute Shield on a weekend one of the competition favourites finally recorded their first win.
Warringah put first points in the board with their 31-28 victory while Randwick kept the Two Blues scoreless in their outing - after not scoring themselves in the first half of their clash.
Northern Suburbs and Sydney Uni kept their scorecard unblemished with third consecutive wins to be in second and third place on the league ladder while Southern Districts returned from the bye for their second win of the competition.
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TWO BLUES 0-42 RANDWICK
The Galloping Greens kept the big, powerful Two Blues scoreless in the match but in a shock to their system Randwick failed to score a single point in the first half of the match.
“We were nil all at half time … they started pretty well and we were half asleep,’’ said coach Ben McCormack who admitted he gave his team “a fair rocket.’’ at halftime.
“The second half showed what we can do.’’
Sevens star Maurice Longbottom and Dylan Pietsch both scored twice in the match with Randwick’s other tries scored by Tristan Reilly and Fred Dorrough.
The big win helped Randwick take top spot on the league ladder off Norths with Ben Houston making his Shute Shield debut.
HUNTER 10-59 SYDNEY UNI
Students coach Michael Hodge is keen to return to Sydney University this weekend for the second time this season to showcase the free flowing football absent when his side beat Manly 10-6 in round two.
Sydney University are undefeated after three rounds thanks to the 59-10 defeat of the Hunter Wildfires on Saturday.
“It is another chance for us to try and push our skills and attack,” he said of the upcoming encounter against Penrith. “We have a very good record at home, we won last week but I want to bring back some fee flowing footy.”
Hodge said captain Rohan O’Regan, fullback Tim Clements and Henry Clunies-Ross were standouts for the Students on Saturday.
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EASTWOOD 42-10 WEST HARBOUR
Eastwood coach Ben Batger said he has seen glimpses of the side he wants his team to become in their trouncing of West Harbour.
“I saw resemblance of a team out there when times were tough. They were starting to come together quite well,” Batger said.
“We held them to 10 so our defence was pleasing.
“Best for us was Michael Icely who scored two and got our Player of the Match plus 12 Enoka Muliufi.”
Round four will see Eastwood take on Easts.
“Easts at Easts, it’s always been a graveyard for us there,” he said.
“I don’t think we have won there for a long time.”
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MANLY 19-28 NORTHS
Norths tries came courtesy of Harry Burey, Kepu Lokotui and Reece Manu’u while Angus Sinclair contributed 13 points from two penalty goals, a drop goal and conversions.
Hutana Coffin, Max Douglas and Jack Veitch all scored for Manly in the hard-fought loss.
“We are still a long way from where we need to be and can be,’’ said Norths coaching director Zak Beer.
“We are still far from the finish product we were pleased with how they conducted themselves, particularly in defence.
“The bye this week has come at a good time. We have come out of the three weeks in good shape.’’
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Penrith 14-29 SOUTHERN DISTRICTS
Southern Districts came back from the bye to record a 15 point win over the John Muggleton coached Emus.
Blake Schupp was handed a blue card in the match where Isoa Nasilasila went over twice and Christian Kagiassis and Nick Brown also scored.
Penrith’s Luke Nadurutalo scored Penriths one try while Netane Masima kicked three penalty goals.
WARRINGAH 31-28 EASTS
Last year’s grand finalists recorded the closest win of the round with their hard-fought victory over Easts at Rat Park.
Warringah shared the scoring with Joshua Holmes, Mungo Mason and Ben Woollet all scoring tries and Tom Halse picking up 10 points and Harley Atwater six.
Charlie Smith and Moli Sooaemalelagi and Jordan Jackson-Hope were the try scorers for the Beasties.