Sea Eagles Cherry Ripe as second half swoop downs Eels
8 hours ago | Sam Bourke
Bears still a chance for NSW Cup finals
The North Sydney Bears have remained in touch with the top eight with a solid and ultimately dominant win against a hard working Shellharbour City Dragons 32-10.
At a sun drenched Ron Costello Oval it was the Dragons who were in position to score for the majority of the first half. However it was the Bears who (via some clever footy) scored two tries to one.
It was 23 minutes of the Dragons on the attack and Norths turning over possession before the Bears scored from 30 metres in their half. Eddie Paea effectively ducked and weaved and ultimately found an easy gap in the Dragon's line and had plenty of time to pass to Shaune Corrigan to score. Eddie Paea converted and it was 6-0 to Norths.
Shellharbour City's try came in the 35th minute in the left corner of the in-goal.
Bears winger Curtis Johnston scored the first of two tries right on the 40 minute mark. Curtis did well to score off a cross field kick. Curtis was unlucky not to have scored earlier in the half after setting a blistering pace down the left of field only to be brought to heel by Shellharbour.
Halftime - North Sydney 10 - Shellharbour City 4.
The second half was a different kettle of fish. Norths dominated in attack. Successful with first and second phase play, the Bears forwards shined and a Bears try came within the first four minutes.
In a terrific individual try, Jamie Simpson jumped and caught the ball from the Dragons kick, ran, dived and stretched out his arm to place the ball on the try line. Eddie Paea was successful with the conversion and the Bears were 16-4 in the lead.
Two tries in quick succession to Matt Hunt and Brock Molan who strolled in under the posts, brought the lead up to 28-4.
The final try to the Bears was the second for Curtis Johnston. Following up on a grubber kick through to score and make it 32-4 after 63 minutes.
But the Dragons had the last word, an easy try and conversion bringing the final score to 32-10.
It was a great performance across the board for the North Sydney Bears. Some of the highlights were - the halves combination of Eddie Paea and Jarryd Hogan, Curtis Johnston and Jamie Simpson's tries, a great ankle tap tackle by Jaiman Lowe and an aggressive performance from the forward pack.
NORTH SYDNEY 32 (Shaune Corrigan, Curtis Johnston 2, Jamie Simpson, Matt Hunt, Brock Molan tries, Eddie Paea 4 goals) defeated SHELLHARBOUR CITY 10 (2 tries, 1 goal) Halftime 10-4 North Sydney.
The Bears next face Wests at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Saturday 24 July 2010 at 3:00 p.m.
PICTURED: Bears Winger Curtis Johnston flies down field. Curtis ultimately scored twice in his teams' important win. PHOTO: Steve Little.
PICTURED: Bears Winger Curtis Johnston flies down field. Curtis ultimately scored twice in his teams' important win. PHOTO: Steve Little.