Randwick sinks Easts' season

Randwick move through to the preliminary finals following their 28-26 victory over Eastern Suburbs at Coogee Oval.
The elimination semi-final was always going to have extra feeling with the two local rivals going head to head, and the match was punctuated by a number of scuffles.
Eastern Suburbs looked to have command of the opening quarter of the match after two penalties and a try off a Randwick mistake.
The Beasts nailed two early penalties via the boot of flyhalf Dion Taumata before the opening try of the game to Anton Lavin who was untouched on a 50m run to the line after scooping up a spilled ball from Ben Mowen.
Taumata converted an added a third penalty for a 16-0 lead.
Randwick capitalised on a period inside Easts' 22 with a try to rookie Ethan Ford and a penalty to Toby Browne shortly before the break closed the margin to eight points which was a fair reflection of the game.
Ten minutes into the second half and Easts' seemingly healthy lead had been consumed by Randwick. A converted try to Shaun Foley brought the game within a kick and the Galloping Greens took the lead through a second penalty to Browne.
In the 55th minute Ford effected a brilliant turnover after a hard kick-chase, with Mowen scoring from close range two phases later. Browne's conversion took Randwick's lead to 25-16 however there was more drama still to unfold.
Steven Noriega was shown a yellow card in the 65th minute. Easts elected to take another scrum from the penalty, and when Randwick infringed again, referee Angus Gardner awarded a penalty try which left both teams puzzled.
In the 71st minute Afusipa Taumoepeau kicked a penalty to add to the conversion of the penalty try, and Easts were back in front by one point.
Not long after Randwick returned to a full complement of players they were presented with another opportunity for three points which Browne duly took to wrest the lead back again.
With four minutes left to play there was still the feeling Easts would have the chance to extend their season however it was not to be.
Randwick now progress to a replay of last year's preliminary final when they face minor premiers Eastwood on Saturday who will very nervous when they think of 2010 when the Galloping Greens knocked them out of the race.
It was a great day for the Coogee faithful which saw six out of seven teams progress through the final series next week. The other highlight which continued the misery for East's was the superb victory by the Randwick 1st colts team defeated their neighbors in a great victory.

Randwick 28 (Ethan Ford, Shaun Foley, Ben Mowen tries; Toby Browne 3 pens, 2 cons) d Eastern Suburbs 26 (Anton Lavin try; Penalty try; Dion Taumata 3 pens, con, Afusipa Taumoepeau con, pen) at Coogee Oval. HT: Eastern Suburbs 16-8. Referee: Angus Gardner.

LOWER GRADES
Coogee Oval - Elimination Semi-Finals
Colin Caird Shield (2nd Grade): Southern Districts 52 d Eastern Suburbs 26
JR Henderson Shield (3rd Grade): West Harbour 22 d Manly 20
JR Henderson Cup (4th Grade): Randwick 19 d Northern Suburbs 13

Forshaw Rugby Park - Elimination Semi-Finals
W.McMahon Memorial Shield (Colts I): Randwick 24 d Eastern Suburbs 22
Shell Trophy (Colts II): Eastwood 33 d Gordon 20
Colts III: Sydney University 40 d West Harbour 7

NEXT WEEK
Saturday 17 September 2011
Preliminary Finals - TG Millner Field
Shute Shield (1st Grade): Eastwood v Randwick
Colin Caird Shield (2nd Grade): Eastwood v Randwick
JR Henderson Shield (3rd Grade): Sydney University v West Harbour
JR Henderson Cup (4th Grade): Eastern Suburbs v Randwick

Colts Preliminary Finals - Forshaw Rugby Park
W.McMahon Memorial Shield (Colts I): Sydney University v Randwick
Shell Trophy (Colts II): Sydney University v West Harbour
Colts III: Eastwood v Sydney University
Sunday 18 September 2011
Preliminary Finals - TG Millner Field
Shute Shield (1st Grade): Sydney University v Manly
Colin Caird Shield (2nd Grade): Sydney University v Southern Districts
JR Henderson Shield (3rd Grade): Randwick v Eastern Suburbs
JR Henderson Cup (4th Grade): Sydney University v West Harbour
Colts Preliminary Finals - Forshaw Rugby Park
W.McMahon Memorial Shield (Colts I): Manly v Eastwood
Shell Trophy (Colts II): Eastern Suburbs v Eastwood
Colts III: Randwick v Manly