With the Australia-Wales test returning to Saturday afternoon at the Sydney Football Stadium, the Shute Shield game against Warringah was played at North Sydney Oval on Friday night. With first grade colts preceding the main game, there was a good crowd in attendance by kick-off.

The Norths pack has been an unchanged line-up for the past few games in contrast to the backline where there were a number of changes again this week. Dave Hardisty came in at halfback, Sam Myers at fullback and Mitch Walton at flyhalf.

In the early stages of this game, Norths had all the ball and field position and appeared significantly quicker around the park than their rivals. It was no surprise then that Norths were first to score with a well worked move off Mitch Walton with Chris Tuatara-Morrison able to out-flank the cover defence to score out wide. The conversion was missed but Norths were on the board 5-0.

A mistake and an infringement by Norths saw Warringah get field position for the first time in the match and a subsequent penalty was converted into 3 points by their fullback, Hamish Angus. Norths were up 5-3.

Norths seem to let up slightly at this point and Warringah were able to make a break out wide and go over for a converted try to hit the lead 10-3.

Norths came back at Warringah and again looked much the better side. A clever pass by Mitch Walton put fullback Sam Myers through a gap and he sprinted away for Norths second try, unconverted for Norths to draw level at 10 all.

While looking good with the ball, Norths were giving away penalties when defending. This was letting the struggling Warringah attack off the hook. Their kicker was on song and two shots at goal before halftime were successful. At the break, very much against the trend of most of the half, Warringah were up 16-10.

There was a cross wind which was favouring Norths slightly in the second half. The half started with Norths and Warringah trading penalty goals taking the score to 16-13, 19-13 and then 19-16. At that point some Corey Brown magic took Norths to the lead. He followed a grubber kick through which skirted the sideline in the Warringah quarter. He was able to get in front of his opposing winger in the chase for the ball, then keeping the ball in play with his foot, scooped it up and dived over for a great try in front of the Mollie Dive Stand crowd. Again the try was unconverted but Norths were up 21-19.

Norths were well on top by this stage of the game and the run of penalties to Warringah had dried up as Norths addressed the mistakes of the first half. Soon Norths were on attack again – this time through the forwards. Ben Matwijow finished off a series of pick and drives by the forwards to squeeze over for a well deserved try – again in front of the Mollie Dive crowd. Conversions were hard to come by but Norths were up 26-19 with a bonus point for four tries.

The fifth try of the night was the result of some great interplay between number 8, AJ Gilbert and openside flanker, Will Brame. From close to the Warringah line AJ Gilbert stepped and was almost through the Warringah line. As he went to ground, he twisted and gave a scoop pass to a following Will Brame who went over untouched next to the posts. With the conversion, Norths went out to a 33-19. They were unlucky not to increase this margin when replacement fullback, Haydn Wolfsbauer split Warringah open from inside his own quarter. Only a desperate chase and a great tackle by the Warringah winger brought him down short of the line.

The win was a good one for Norths who were clearly better than their opponents especially in the second half. The forwards were well lead by Will Brame who had his best game of the season but all the pack played well. Again Norths’ pace out wide troubled their opponent.

Scorers: Tries to Corey Brown, Ben Matwijow, Chris Tuatara-Morrison, Sam Myers, Will Brame; Mitch Walton a conversion and two penalty goals.

Starting Team:
James Smith, Scott Podmore, Nick Lah, Rory Walton, Ben Matwijow, Jordan Smiler, Will Brame, AJ Gilbert, David Hardisty, Mitch Walton, Corey Brown, Chris Tuatara-Morrison, Bill Meakes, Lachlan Porteous, Sam Myers

Replacements:
Haydn Wolfsbauer came on as fresh reserve at fullback in the second half.

Best and Fairest: Will Brame 3 pts, Nick Lah 2 pts, Rory Walton 1 pt