SEE-SAWING MATCH ENDS IN SPECTACULAR FASHION

10th April 2010 | by Steve Little | Back to Full List of Articles | PDF Media Release

In a match that featured equal points on three separate occasions as well as a field goal and a penalty conversion, North Sydney have lost out to the Shellharbour City Dragons 24-17.

The Bears return to North Sydney Oval was marred by some controversial decisions and a shattering ending, but was also marked by some spectacular tries and first rate performances from Curtis Johnston, Eddie Paea and Jamie Simpson.

After the Bears made a number of successive attacks it was Shellharbour who scored first in the 12 minute to lead 6-0.

Next a spectacular try put Norths on the board. Greg Nichols, mid-air and mid-tackle passed over the shoulder towards the in-goal just as Jamie Simpson came storming through to catch and place the ball in the right hand corner. An excellent conversion by Eddie Paea resulted in a 6 all score.

After 33 minutes Norths received the advantage of a penalty for the Dragons holding down in the tackle which lead Bears centre Curtis Johnston to score in the left corner. And so Norths hit the front and the sheds at 10-6 (Curtis also finished half with ball in hand making a run down field).

It took Shellharbour only 10 minutes to hit back with a scrappy right hand corner try and the Bears and Dragons were even-stevens again 10-10.

Shellharbour were on a roll and only 5 minutes later scored again to move in front 16-10.

Greg Nichols was next to score for the Bears. Luke Capewell challenged the catcher of a highball who fumbled allowing Greg Nichols to score. Eddie Paea converted and the scores became even for the third time at 16 all.

Shortly after, a brilliant move by Joey Williams saw him successful with a field goal to scrap ahead 17-16.

A controversial decision saw the Dragons awarded a penalty kick in front of the sticks and they edged ahead 18-17.

Finally with two minutes left on the clock Shellharbour scored again to bring the final scores to 24-17.

Next week the Bears travel to Newcastle’s Energy Australia Stadium to face Central Coast on Saturday 17 April at 1:15 p.m.

SHELLHARBOUR CITY 24 (8 tries, 6 goals) defeated NORTH SYDNEY 17 (Jamie Simpson, Curtis Johnston, Greg Nichols tries, Eddie Paea 2 goals, Joe Williams field goal) Halftime 10-6 North Sydney.

The S G Ball clash between North Sydney and Parramatta (also on Saturday) also began as a close contest with tries to Bradley Fisher and Alaa Badran and 2 conversions and a penalty kick to Apisai Koroisau, giving the Bears a 14-10 lead at halftime.

But despite two consecutive tries mid way in the second half to John Hassaraatti and Hugh Tomkins the Eels were the ultimate winners running in 6 more tires to win 44-24.

PARRAMATTA 44 (7 tries, 8 goals) defeated NORTH SYDNEY 24 (Bradley Fisher, John Hassaraatti, Alaa Badran, Hugh Tomkins tries, Apisai Koroisau 4 goals) Halftime 10-14 North Sydney.

In the first match played on Saturday The Bears Harold Matthews team went down to Parramatta 66-6. Bears prop Sean Moe scored and Davis Dean converted.

PARRAMATTA 66 (12 tries, 9 goals) defeated NORTH SYDNEY 14 (Sean Moe try, David Dean 1 goal) Halftime 40-0 Parramatta.