West Harbour have held on against a fast finishing Penrith side to notch their second win of the 2020 Shute Shield season.
The Pirates looked to have claimed an unassailable lead midway through the second half, however three late Penrith tries ensured Mark Gudmunson and his side were made to earn their bonus point victory.
The match was played at a frenetic pace from the outset, as two naturally attacking and creative sides looked to outdo each other with every play.
Consequently, it wasn’t long before the match saw its first try, with Pirates winger James Turner again reminding the competition of his elite finishing ability and awarding the visitors with an early lead.
The Emu’s replied quickly and in fantastic style, as Luke Nadurutalo made a bullocking run from the Penrith try line which sparked a length of the field effort that would see Dean Blore score under the posts.
West Harbour quickly found themselves ahead once more as an ill-disciplined Penrith defence saw Willie Tooala given yellow for repeated infringements close to the line. The Pirates instantly capitalised on their backline overlap with Damien Fleming waltzing over for his first of the afternoon.
The to and fro battle continued however as a rare mistake from Patrick Pellegrini gifted Penrith valuable field position, with Emu halfback Terry Fanolua scooting from the ruck and capitalising on a retreating Pirate defence to level the scores at 12-12.
An early double to Turner and a penalty try awarded for illegal tackling saw West Harbour restore the lead and head into the sheds 24-12.
The Pirates looked in control early in the second, James Turner once again breaking the Penrith line and putting Fleming in for a well-earned double to further extend their lead.
However, the Emu’s weren’t done with and after Ezekiel Seia and Terry Fanolua scored in quick succession, the Pirate lead was cut to just seven.
With the realisation of an upset comeback imminent, both sides intensity lifted considerably late in the game.
Penrith’s ill-discipline though proved costly again late, as a string of penalties allowed the visitors down the field with Pellegrini dancing around a tiring Emu forward pack to score under the posts and ensure a West Harbour victory.
The win sees West Harbour head into their Round Ten bye. With games against the Two Blues and Wildfires in the following two weeks, the Pirates will be hoping to double their win tally by the end of the season.
In the rounds other results, Easts shocked Sydney Uni 22-14, Eastwood were too strong for Manly 45-27, Gordon extended their unbeaten record 56-21 over Southern Districts, Norths defeated competition heavyweights Randwick 46-17 and the Wildfires recorded their first victory in the Shute Shield 28-15 over the Two Blues.
Result
West Harbour 38
Tries: Fleming 2, Turner 2, Pellegrini, Penalty Try
Cons: Pellegrini, Gadeisuva 2
Penrith 29
Tries: Fanolua 2, Blore, Seia, Charley
Cons: Blore 2
Yellow Cards: Tooala, Alcorn
Round 9 Results:
Easts 22 – 14 Sydney Uni
Eastwood 45 – 27 Manly
Gordon 56 – 21 Southern Districts
Norths 46 – 17 Randwick
Two Blues 15 – 28 Hunter Wldfires
Penrith 29 – 38 West Harbour
