Randwick score half century to book Grand Final replay

The 2009 Tooheys New Shute Shield Grand Final will be a rematch of last year’s decider with Randwick defeating Gordon 53-32 at Woollahra Oval in today’s Preliminary Final.

Having enjoyed a week off after finishing second on the ladder after the regular season, Randwick led for all but four minutes of the match in the six tries to four victory which saw more than a point per minute, including 61 in the second half.

Gordon had their opportunities, however whenever they got within striking distance Randwick stepped it up another gear with international replacements Drew Mitchell and Adam Freier causing havoc in the second half.

The Highlanders opened the scoring in the second minute through a Dave Harvey penalty, however they didn’t follow Francis Fainifo come in from his wing shortly after with the Brumbies wing hitting a hole and racing 40m to score without a hand laid on him.

Two drop goals to Tim Walsh and a second penalty to Harvey saw Randwick out to a 13-6 lead, however when a cross-field kick bounced well for Matt McDougall the Gordon wing ran 35m to score in the right corner to close the margin to two.

Marshall Milroy piloted a penalty to open up a five-point buffer, and then seven minutes from half-time Fainifo was in for his second to help Randwick to a 21-11 lead at the break.

Randwick quickly opened up a 20-point lead following a try, conversion and penalty to Milroy in the opening ten minutes of the second half, however Gordon closed the gap yet again when Mark Preston crashed over next to the posts.

With the match in the balance, Brumbies flanker Henry Vanderglas carried defenders over the line for a converted try in the 65th minute, before a Dane Haylett-Petty intercept try in the 70th brought the margin back within two converted tries.

Two minutes later Walsh kicked his third drop goal of the day to establish a 41-25 lead, but Gordon again hit back immediately with replacement flanker Chris Alcock touching down under the posts with seven minutes remaining.

Gordon were willing to try their hand, however Randwick ran in two late tries to Brumbies Shaun Foley and Stephen Hoiles to bring up a half century in the 53-32 result.

The victory sees Randwick progress to next Sunday’s Tooheys New Shute Shield Grand Final against Sydney University at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Second Preliminary Final
Randwick 53 (Francis Fainifo 2, Marshall Milroy, Henry Vanderglas, Shaun Foley, Stephen Hoiles tries; Marshall Milroy 3 cons, 2 pens, Tim Walsh 3 drop, con) d Gordon 32 (Matt McDougall, Mark Preston, Dane Haylett-Petty, Chris Alcock tries; Dave Harvey 3 cons, 2 pens) at Woollahra Oval. Referee: Stuart Dickinson. HT: Randwick 21-11.

LOWER GRADES
Gordon’s Second Grade side didn’t suffer the same fate as First Grade, with the Highlanders defeating Randwick 45-17 to advance to the Colin Caird Shield Grand Final against Eastern Suburbs.

Sydney University defeated Warringah 27-13 in Third Grade and will now face Gordon in the Grand Final, while Randwick will defend their Fourth Grade title against West Harbour after the Pirates recorded a 31-3 victory over Sydney University.

Southern Districts advanced to a rare Grand Final appearance with their First Grade Colts side defeating Manly 29-17. Eastern Suburbs beat Gordon 14-5 in Second Grade Colts, while the Highlanders defeated the Beasties 26-20 in Third Grade Colts. All of today’s winners will face Sydney University in the NSW Premiership Colts Grand Finals this Saturday at Concord Oval.

Woollahra Oval
Colin Caird Shield (2nd Grade): Gordon 45 d Randwick 17
JR Henderson Shield (3rd Grade): Sydney University 27 d Warringah 13
JR Henderson Cup (4th Grade): West Harbour 31 d Sydney University 3

Forshaw Rugby Park
W.McMahon Memorial Shield (Colts I): Southern Districts 29 d Manly 17
Shell Trophy (Colts II): Eastern Suburbs 14 d Gordon 5
Colts III: Gordon 26 d Eastern Suburbs 20