Big crowd inspires 1st grade win against Norths

1st GradeBack to Port Hacking Day saw a large crowd gather at Forshaw Rugby Park for the battle against defending Shute Shield premiers Northern Suburbs. The roars from the grandstand and Favourite Son Hill were able to inspire a massive defensive effort by Southern Districts in a frenetic final two minutes to hold on and win 37-33. Souths had earlier gained the upper hand in the match, skipping out to a 37-12 advantage by the 62nd minute mark. However some poor discipline and defensive lapses from the Rebels enabled the Shoreman to score converted tries in the 64th, 74th and 78th minutes to bridge the gap to just four points. Norths relentlessly tried to break the defensive line, well beyond the final siren. The Rebels finally turned the ball over just 25 metres from a possible match stealing try, and thankfully were able to kick the ball out high over ‘DJ Shirtless’ on the far hill to seal a memorable victory. The large contingent of Port Hacking old boys celebrated with a rousing rendition of “Take me home, Port Hacking Road”, as the sun set on another great day of entertaining club rugby in the Shire.---------- Souths dominated the start and were able to capitalise on Norths errors to earn a penalty within range and take a 3-0 lead after 5 minutes. By the 10th minute mark the Shoreman had sprung into action and responded with a well worked converted try after sustained phase pressure and the assistance of a penalty. Soon after the restart, Souths regained territorial advantage through a pinpoint Garryowen from fullback Jamie Verran. The referee adjudged that an offside infringement was incurred by Norths, and a full arm penalty saw Souths kick to the corner for a lineout 15 metres out. (After the controversy that has flowed from a similar infringement in the final All Black vs Lions Test later on Saturday evening, one must now wonder how the offside versus accidental offside will the interpreted in the future!!!) Back to the action, and after at least 10 phases of hammering the Norths defensive line, Souths’ scored their first try of the day as unstoppable replacement prop Viliami Ma’umalaga crashed over. He’d just come onto the field moments earlier as a blood bin replacement for fellow big man Connor Young. Hard working open side flanker Connor Mitchell’s day unfortunately came to an early end, forced off with a lower leg injury in only the 17th minute. Big number eight Albert Hemopo came on as a willing replacement, and pushed Marcus Carbone onto the ball at openside flanker. Hemopo’s introduction kept Southern Districts on the front foot and as they were consistently getting over the advantage line in attack. Half-back Dewet Roos decided to chance a raid down the blind side, scooting right and then sending a crisp pass out to outside centre Luke Smart. With the sideline beckoning, Smart was able to straighten and carried two defenders over with him to score in the far corner. 15-7, with 18 minutes remaining in the half. The portion of the half included a tremendous defensive period from the Rebels which culminated in Ben Connolly completing a try saving tackle on the far side. With 15 minutes to go in the half, it became apparent that Norths were intent on spreading the ball side to side, as they could not break through the Souths line. Left winger Alex Gibbon, made a superb covering tackle and then appeared to correctly and effectively steal the ball after immediately returning to his feet. The match officials deemed otherwise and Gibbon was penalised. Norths kicked to the corner and were able to drive over for a rolling maul from the ensuing lineout, which got them back only trail 15-12. The remainder of the half went back and forth with neither side able to gain much more advantage. Fly-half Rohan Saifoloi added a further three pointer as the home side went to the sheds up 18-12 The opening 20 minutes of the second stanza featured three unanswered tries for the Rebels, firstly through a diving effort from Roos (44th), and lastly a strong finish from dynamic hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa (60th). However, the most spectacular try of the day was Smart completing a double in 55th minute. Gibbon made a break deep into the left corner but as he was bundled into touch was able to throw a pass back infield over other cover defenders. Smart was able to gather the ball from his bootlaces while maintaining top speed to score a wonderful five pointer. Up 37-12, the match should have been over, but Norths had other ideas and took full toll of a yellow carding with 15 minutes remaining to threaten a boilover. They absolutely roared home with three converted tries to only trail by four points with time still remaining. Whilst the finish was heart stopping for some, the composure showed by the team in the those final moments to extinguish any last gasps from Norths was most impressive. Souths were the much cleaner side with the ball all day, dominating territory and possession and were the deserved winners. This extends the Rebels’ winning streak to five matches and moves them up into 4th place. This weekend they face a daunting road trip across to Manly to battle the competition leaders and probably the title favourites. Around the grounds for the other Shute Shield fixtures saw several other close results, highlighted by Sydney University and Manly drawing 30-30. West Harbour extinguished Gordon’s faint finals hopes 28-25, while Parramatta kept Penrith winless with a 33-28 win. Eastwood slid back to 5th place going down at home 32-14 to Randwick, while Warringah maintained 2nd place with a comfortable 45-18 win over Eastern Suburbs.2nd Grade Second grade will be looking to bounce back after suffering their first defeat since round six, going down in very tight encounter 29-27. They fall back to 2nd position on the ladder in the Colin Card Shield. The table toppling Rebels trailed 22-11 at half time, surprisingly conceding three tries to one despite appearing the more composed side. Souths were pressuring the Norths line to close out the half with repeated attacking lineouts and then scrums, but just couldn't penetrate for another try. Buoyed by the building home crowd, Souths started with a strong opening first 10 minutes to the half. Replacement winger Finau scored a great try in the right corner. Unfortunately the conversion hit the post, but the comeback was on. A penalty goal to fly-half Matt Teki further reduced the deficit to 19-22 with 25 minutes remaining. It was that man Teki again five minutes later, who scored a wonderful individual try from nearing 40 metres out. Teki showed it, went through a gap, showed the ball again and then put his after burners on to score out wide. His conversion attempt just missed, but Souths were now in front 24-22. A Teki three-pointer put the Rebels further ahead after they were awarded a penalty for a scrum infringement by Norths. The home side lead 27-22, but with still 11 minutes to go, the next team to score was going to be crucial. A pinpoint restart from Norths wasn't able to diffused and allowed Norths valuable territory, and they eventually crossed for what became the winning converted try. The visitors had regained the lead 29-27. Southern Districts then through absolutely everything they had at Norths over the final seven and a half minutes. The second rowers continually trucked the ball over the advantage line. Teki was able to direct the attack several times across to exciting and beloved winger Rowland-Keni Kotabalavu, as “Give it to Rowland!” was thundered from Favourite Son Hill. But it was just wasn’t to be, and Norths clinched the win which put them back into the top six.3rd and 4th GradeUnfortunately both grades were outplayed by Norths, going down 52-3 and 40-5 respectively.The boys showed plenty of fight against opponents currently much higher on the ladder.