Easts smash 55-year Shute Shield hoodoo with one-point victory

Eastern Suburbs claimed their first Shute Shield in 55 years – and Norths were left heartbroken for a second straight season – after the Tricolours triumphed by one point in a classic grand final thriller.

The star-studded Easts team won their first Shute Shield decider since 1969 with a 36-35 victory at Leichhardt Oval after holding off a Norths team who had staged a second-half fightback after trailing early, and came within centimetres of a game-winning try in the dying seconds.

Easts led 29-13 at the break after a dominant opening half, but Norths rallied to lead in the second half before a Darby Lancaster try took Easts back in front.

With Easts leading by one point in the final minute and defending their line, Norths reserve hooker James Margan went agonisingly close to scoring a match-winner when he reached out and got the ball over the line for a winning try. But Margan lost control just above the grass and knocked on.

Easts survived the last scrum and No.10 Jack Bowen kicked the ball into touch, sending vast numbers of Easts fans on the Leichhardt Oval hill into raptures. The club didn’t manage to pull off their goal of a clean sweep of all four grade grand finals, but the fans couldn’t have cared less after the first grade team finally broke their five-decade long Shute Shield drought.

It was unadulterated heartbreak for Norths, who lost last year’s grand final by two points to Randwick. Norths and Waratahs outside centre Henry O’Donnell was outstanding in a two-try effort, but the Zak Beer-coached side paid the price for an uncharacteristically sloppy first half in which Easts came out firing and looked much the stronger.

Easts celebrate with the Shute Shield.Credit: Karen Watson/Sydney Rugby Union

The Ben Batger-coached Easts looked every bit the “Real Madrid” of club rugby, scoring four slick tries and pressuring Norths at every turn.

Armed with the class of professional players right across the park, Easts managed to unsettle the usually unflappable Norths, particularly in the forward pack, where Easts big men Miles Amatosero, Julian Heaven, Charlie Gamble and Jamie Adamson were all outstanding.

Easts’ young backs got the ball rolling early when Jack Bowen released Lancaster and Teddy Wilson scored a superb solo try.

Easts lock Miles Amatosero charges forward.Credit: Karen Watson/Sydney Rugby Union

Easts turned to their rolling maul to tighten the screws for two more tries in the first half, and powerhouse centre Fabian Goodall couldn’t be stopped from close either.

A charging O’Donnell got Norths’ only try in the first half as they tried and failed to find space on the edges instead of the middle.

Norths came out in the second half and finally got their game rolling, and a maul try to Michael Scott began the fightback.

Norths had all the momentum, and a second try to O’Donnell was followed by superb 50-metre try to flanker Ed Timpson, which gave the Shoremen a 32-31 lead with 17 minutes remaining.

Jack Bowen celebrating with Easts fans.Credit: Karen Watson/Sydney Rugby Union

But an error from the restart allowed Easts to finally get some territory, and Bowen helped find an overlap on the left wing that allowed Lancaster to immediately score and take back the lead.

Norths were held up over the line in the 73rd minute and elected to take a penalty in front of the sticks in the 77th minute, believing they had time to come back and score again.

But Easts’ defence stood in the dying stages and Norths didn’t appear to set up for a field goal, instead backing their ability to score or draw a penalty. Even as Margan was reaching for the line to potentially snatch victory, it was a Gamble tackle that proved the difference.

Victory was sweet for Easts players and fans, who were the subject of heavy criticism from rivals after they were found to have breached the Player Points system, and subsequently fined and docked competition points.

“I can’t describe it – it has been a tough year,” Wilson said post-game.

Henry O’Donnell was superb for Norths in attack and defence.Credit: © Karen Watson for Sydney Rugby Union

“We have been criticised a lot but it only made the boys stronger. I am just so happy, and so proud we stuck in there. Norths came really strong in that second half and were really struggling to hold them out but I am just glad the boys hung in there and we got it done.

“Credit to Norths for a great season. They finished in fifth after the regular season and their finals run was great to watch. They should be really proud of their efforts.”

Bowen, whose father Scott played for Easts as well, said he was proud to get the long-awaited premiership title.

“To bring that home, after 55 years, my family has so much history at the club,” Bowen said. “Just wow. To give that to the community, there are so many people who do so much for Easts and to do it for all those guys is unbelievable.”

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