Shute Shield grand final: Stars, tryscorers, results in Randwick v Northern Suburbs thriller

The 2023 Shute Shield was decided after an impressive first half by a rugby young gun, a rally by the opposition and old fashioned defence in the dying stages. Stars, match wrap, grade results.

Randwick celebrates winning the Shute Shield grand final 2023.

They set up their win in the first half and then held off a fast-finishing opponent in the second with Randwick claiming a special piece of history with their two point defeat of Northern Suburbs for the 100th Shute Shield at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday.

The late season winning run of Northern Suburbs came to an end in the grand final with the Galloping Greens holding Norths at bay in the final stages of the match for the 17-15 win and their first crown since 2004 despite a scoreless second half.

Young fly half Andrew Deegan was one of the stars of the show, nailing three from three kicks and scoring a try in a crucial first half for Randwick.

Randwick opened the scoring around 12 minutes into the grand final after repeatedly pressuring the minor premiership winning Norths defence.

Big lock Cormac Daly had the honour of scoring the first try of the grand final with Deegan converting to give Randwick a 7-0 lead.

Randwick lead Norths 17-3 at halftime in the Shute Shield grand final. Pictures: Karen Watson

Around 28 minutes in Norths, who went into the game on a six game run, were awarded a penalty with Jude Gibbs putting their first points on the board. Soon after Deegan responded by nailing a penalty to extended Randwick’s lead to 10-3 late in the half.

An on-song Deegan rewarded the Randwick fans with a great try and an easy conversion after plenty of work - and patience - from his teammates just before half time.

“We just have to come out and play harder,’’ said Norths captain Harry Burey at halftime as his team headed to the sheds trailing 17-3 after the first 40.

Randwick scored all its tries in the first half. Pictures: Karen Watson

Randwick scoring in the first half of the Shute Shield grand final

And they did, scoring the first try of the second half with Luke Gereskowski rumbling his way over and Gibb’s conversion edging Norths within seven.

Soon after a dangerous Norths were right back in the game with Junior Wallaby Henry O’Donnell scoring a great try - his sixth for the season - but Gibbs missing the opportunity to level the game - and another to take the lead not long after when a penalty kick went askew.

Randwick then produced some great defence to thwart Northern Suburb’s bid to take back control of the match and the 2023 Shute Shield.

Randwick won the 2023 Shute Shield grand final with their defeat of Northern Suburbs. Picture: Karen Watson

It ended a great day for the Randwick rugby club who also took out the titles in third and fourth grade.

SHUTE SHIELD GRADE RESULTS

Second grade: Sydney Uni beat Manly 38-24

Third grade: Randwick 33 beat Eastwood 28

Fourth grade: Randwick v Manly 34-0

Randwick celebrates winning the Shute Shield grand final 2023.

Randwick fans at the Shute Shield grand final

SHUTE SHIELD 2023 PREVIEW

Waratahs rugby coach Darren Coleman knows exactly what it takes to get a team over the line in a Shute Shield grand final, what can win a side a season decider and the players who could most impact the game.

Coleman is fascinated by the way the 2023 Shute Shield season has played out and just how even the two teams left standing to fight out for the Shute Shield at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday are.

In fact Coleman, who coached Gordon to victory back in 2020, said it’s been a long time since he has seen two more deserved or evenly matches sides make it through to the season decider of the premier club rugby competition in NSW.

And it has left him sitting on the fence when it comes to tipping a winner between Northern Suburbs and Randwick.

But he has identified what needs to be done to take victory.

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“It will be a tight contest. I think they have been pretty even this season and this will be a tight, even game,’’ Coleman said.

“They match up pretty well. Most of this comes down to taking opportunity to score points, goal kicks, tries, executing off the line break.

“Who ever takes these opportunities will do the best.’’

Coleman noticed the style of Randwick and Norths is as different as their coaches.

Randwick in their match against Northern Suburbs to decided the 2023 competition. Picture: Karen Watson

“If I had to categorise them I’d say traditional Randwick rugby is alive and well with enterprising tries while Norths are just a great team who have been consistent and very clinical in their role,’’ he said.

“One is flamboyant and dangerous and the other is clinical

“(Randwick coach Stephen) Hoilesy is a hippy and Zak (Beer, Norths coach) is an accountant.

“I just can’t split them. Everything screams evenness. They played 18 rounds and finished on the same points. It’s the closest grand final we’ve had in a while.’’

Coleman identified a number of players who will be key to their clubs success, including an impressive Norths combination.

“Their halves of Nick Duffy and Jude Gibb - they have been their No. 9 and 10 all year - and will be key,’’ Coleman said.

“For Randwick it’s their enterprise in their outside backs … Nicholas Chan and Matias Jensen in the centres, Christian Yassmin, Jack Dowling, James Hendren.

“They have a lot of firepower and explosives in their outside backs.

“I think both forward packs will cancel each other out.’’