Eastwood have secured their second victory of the Shute Shield season, defeating West Harbour 42-10 at TG Millner.
The Woods were far too clinical for the Pirates, capitalising on an abundance of second half possession to sink the visitors to their third loss of 2020.
West Harbour began without skipper Dion Spice and Aussie Sevens star Josh Coward, both late exclusions to the visitor’s backline.
These changes allowed opportunities for young talents Patrick Pellegrini and Elliot Turner, who both impressed in short stints late against Easts in Round 2.
A flurry of Eastwood tries late in the game was preceded by an arm wrestle of a first half with neither side willing to give ground or allow the other scoring opportunities.
Consequently, it wasn’t until the 32nd minute that the deadlock was broken, with Woods hooker Ed Craig crossing for what would be the first of three tries for him on the day.
Craig was the beneficiary of a dominant Eastwood lineout, who successfully executed three rolling maul tries in the match.
The home side were given their second opportunity close to the line after a yellow card was awarded to West Harbour fullback TaviteGadeisuva just after half time.
Eastwood scored twice while the Pirates were a man down, as a well executive back line manoeuvre awarded halfback Matthew Gonzalez a try in the corner.
Further tries to hat-trick hero Craig and Michael Icely took the home side to an unassailable lead by the hour mark of the match.
The visitors were offered a chance to inflict their own rolling maul late in proceedings with replacement lock Amos Viiga crashing over for the Pirates only try.
Despite the result, West Harbour fans would be enthused to have seen NSW Waratah representative Carlo Tizzano run out for his first match in Pirates colours.
The breakaway was a standout for the visitors, consistently forcing Eastwood away from the advantage line and causing turnover ball.
Tizzano will no doubt improve as he’s allowed more time within the Pirates squad and will be influential in the sides upcoming fixtures.
With a quarter of the shortened season already completed, West Harbour will be desperate to find a result in their Round Four match against Randwick at Drummoyne Oval.
Randwick sit top of the Shute Shield ladder after a comfortable 42-0 victory over the Two Blues.
With a potential showdown between Australian Sevens teammates Josh Coward, Maurice Longbottom, Dylan Pietsch and Simon Kennewell, next Saturday’s match may be one of the most entertaining in 2020.
Result
Eastwood 42
Tries: Craig 3, Tau, Gonzalez, Icely
Cons: Edmed 6
West Harbour 10
Tries: Viiga
Cons: Pellegrini
Pens: Pellegrini
Yellow Card: Gadeisuva
Round 3 shute shield
Warringah 31 – 28 Easts
Eastwood 42 – 10 West Harbour
Norths 28 – 19 Manly
Randwick 42 – 0 Two Blues
Penrith 14 – 29 Southern Districts
Hunter Wildfires 10 – 59 Sydney University
Declan Armstrong
Media and Communications Officer
