West Harbour were defeated 32-3 by Northern Suburbs in their opening round fixture of the 2020 Shute Shield season.
After an extended preseason break, both sides showed early intensity in defence, limiting much of the early portion of the game to the middle of the field.
Norths were awarded an early lead through the boot of flyhalf Angus Sinclair, capitalising on repeated penalties down the oppositions end.
The Pirates struck back not long after through Kodie Drury-Hawkins, but two subsequent missed penalties denied the West Harbour flyhalf from extending the lead any further.
The home sides already tough opening round assignment was made even harder when flanker Francis Ireimia was given a red card for striking.
To that point, Ireimia had looked the most dangerous player on the field, tough in defence and continually taking the ball beyond the advantage line.
Dropped ball limited any scoring opportunities for West Harbour, with the home side lacking execution in critical stages.
Sinclair extended Norths lead to 6-3 before the remainder of the half was played out to a stalemate.
While the Pirates were brave in the second half, remaining a man down for a significant portion of the game paid a toll in the second half.
The match saw its first try in the 52nd minute, as Norths prop Jayden Lynch was rewarded for his support running and crashed over for the visitors.
West Harbour young gun James Turner looked the pick of the backline in the second half.
Turner continually challenged the opposition line with slick footwork and speed, creating quick ball for skipper Dion Spice and forcing Norths onto the back foot.
However, it was Pirates inside centre Justin Tavae who created the home sides best opportunity in the second half.
Tavae broke through two Norths defenders before eventually passing on to West Harbour flyer Rod Davies, who was held up agonisingly close over the line.
Early season fitness and competing a man down cost the home side dearly in the final quarter of the game.
Converted tries to Connor Winchester, Bradley Hemopo and George Murrin extended Norths lead and capped off a clinical second half performance.
Northern Suburbs ran out the game 32-3 victors, topping off a strong start to their 2020 Shute Shield campaign.
West Harbour will face Eastern Suburbs at Woollahra Oval in their next match.
Both teams will be searching for their first win of the season after Easts suffered a shock 35-24 loss over Gordon in Round One.
Round Two: Eastern Suburbs v West Harbour – 3pm Woollahra Oval
Result
West Harbour 3
Pens: Drury-Hawkins
Red Card: Ireimia
Northern Suburbs 32
Tries: Lynch, Winchester, Hemopo, Murrin
Cons: Winchester 3
Pens: Sinclair 2
Declan Armstrong
Media and Communication Officer
