In the equivalent fixture in 2011, Norths had stretched Eastwood in a great match of the day and Norths had been very unlucky to lose that day – but this is a new season and both teams have had significant changes since then. It was therefore one of the attractions of this clash to see how successfully the new team combinations would shape-up. Trial form suggested Eastwood would again be a force in the Shute Shield.

Eastwood ran with the wind and away from the noise in the first half and took advantage of it to keep Norths pinned inside their half in the early play. A sequence of early penalties to Eastwood put them on attack. Soon after, they were in for their first try after some concerted forward play close to the line. With the conversion Eastwood were up early 7-nil.

Eastwood continued to have field position as the game developed but the Norths players were gaining in confidence and holding the Eastwood attack. A long range penalty attempt by Eastwood (missed) suggested they respected this Norths defence.

Some good passing in the backs allowed Norths to gain territory and put Eastwood under pressure. A sweeping backline move that went to the right of the field and then back to the left found winger Corey Brown with an overlap. With his speed, he was able to take advantage of this space to beat his opposite number and then the cover to the line for Norths first try out wide. The conversion was unsuccessful but Norths were in the game at 5 point to 7 and about 13 minutes to the break.

The Norths score sparked the premiers to step up a gear and Norths were again defending deep in their own half for an extended period of time. A sequence of dropped balls by both sides was frustrating the attacks. Eastwood took advantage of one such turnover to score their second try. With the conversion they lead 14-5.

With only minutes to the half time break, a sequence of penalties against Norths put Eastwood in the Norths half and then presented them with an opportunity to extend their lead. The successful penalty put Eastwood out to a 17-5 lead at the break. The 10 points in the final minutes of the half really hurt.

Norths needed to start the second half well and did exactly that - going strongly on attack after securing possession from an Eastwood mistake. A great offload by AJ Gilbert saw Isaiah Mosese go over between the posts. With the conversion by Norths number 10 Haydn Wolfsbauer, Norths trailed 17-12 and the game was there for the taking.

Lawrance Hunting had to leave the field with a hand injury and was replaced by James Atwill.

Unfortunately the hot weather and early season fumbles broke down attacks from both sides over the subsequent 20 minutes of the half. Also the breakdown was becoming a lottery for possession and/or penalties. The referee called out both captains with about 20 minutes to go for a general warning but it appeared to the observer that this was a trifle late in the game for such a gesture.

The Norths backs were starting to find gaps in the Eastwood defence and the Norths forwards were becoming more dominant as the game progressed with Will Miller a standout in his first grade debut. Trent Lake at full back and the centres, Chris Taratua and Bill Meakes were also prominent.

With 15 minutes to go Matt Lamont (having already entertained the ladies in the Molly Dive Stand with his warm-up stretches) came on to replace Will Brame.

Norths continued to move the ball around stretching the Eastwood defence as they strived for the equalising try. Finally the combination of Chris Tuatara and Bill Meakes broke the defence again and Trent Lake was able to go over out wide to bring the scores level. The long range conversion went wide but Norths had fought back to 17 all with 8 minutes to go.

As mentioned earlier in this report, there had been a number of penalties in the game at the breakdown and it was a final such penalty which gave Eastwood the chance to pinch the game. The very good kick from their number 10 took them out to a 20-17 lead, a lead they held to the fulltime bell.

It was disappointing for Norths to lose such a tight game after the great second half fight back but there were some very promising signs for this relatively new combination. As supporters we look forward to the games ahead.

Scorers:
Tries to Corey Brown, Trent Lake, Isaiah Mosese. Haydn Wolfbauer one conversion

Starting Team:
Lawrance Hunting, Nick Seymour, James Smith, Jordan Smiler, Seti Tatua, Will Brame, Will Miller, AJ Gilbert, David Hardisty, Haydn Wolfsbauer, Corey Brown, Chris Tuatara, Bill Meakes, Isaiah Mosese, Trent Lake

Best and Fairest:
Will Miller 3 points, Chris Tuatara, Dave Hardisty and Corey Brown 1 point each.