It was a big Saturday out at North Sydney Oval with back-to-back Shute Shield semi-finals where Randwick won the earlier game v Eastwood 38-20 as we look back between Norths v Manly for the 3pm game as usual that was aired on 9Gem.
Norths got away first with back-to-back penalty goals before they scored the first TRY while Manly couldn’t get past the opposition team’s scrambled defense going into half-time 13-0. Manly did score a TRY at last thanks to some sensational set up display from Yool Yool on the right wing 16-5, but that didn’t stop Norths when the home team went on to score another TRY before they stopped Manly in its tracks as the clock ticks down 23-5.
That means Eastwood & now Manly are eliminated from the last four as we now anticipate a Randwick v Norths Grand Final showdown at Leichhardt Oval next Saturday afternoon at 3.15pm LIVE both on Stan Sport & 9Gem. It’s gonna be a great end to the club rugby season since both sides haven’t lifted a Premiership in a such a long time before it’s World Cup time over in France going into next month.
First of all, Jude Gibbs has shown his creativity & kicking magic in the No.10 Norths jersey this afternoon that sent his side into next Saturday’s Final. He’s age 22 with a bright future ahead where Jude is more than just a conversion kicker thanks to his quick passes while looking to get out of trouble through his cross kicks past the Manly gate too as well as winning these 50/22 line-out throw-ins into touch.
Next up, it’s Hugh Sinclair who played a huge role defensively where he noticed a number of Manly’s processing issues before he helped his men lock that ball up
on the Norths second row (No.4). He’s got such a tall frame that goes with his excellent physicality including some Super Rugby experience at his prime right now, having talked up well to give back to his club team before the rewards were there.
Both Jude & Hugh will be wanting to push Norths towards a Shute Shield title by blowing Randwick away at Leichhardt Oval when it comes to the scrambled defense as well as showing off their dynamic & creative attack with the ball.
And Yool Yool has been lightning quick as best as he can for his losing Manly team on the right wing at No.14. He never gave up when he was down twice earlier on before Yool Yool got back up with some exceptional work including a 50/22 kick then a TRY of his own not long later in the 2nd half. It’s just a shame that his Manly side weren’t able to dismantle Norths’ tight defensive line while their executions have been messy – he’s now tipping on the Wicks to win the big Final next Saturday.
