mickdo
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Well done woodies!!! 
Come From Behind Win Secures Eastwood the Shute Shield
http://www.nswrugby.com.au/MediaExtranet/News/2006/May/ComeFromBehindWinSecuresEastwoodtheShuteShield.aspx
Saturday, 27 May 2006
NSWRU Media Unit
Two tries inside the final 20 minutes of play have seen Eastwood claim the Shute Shield for 2006, the Woods downing arch rivals Sydney University 17-10 at TG Millner Field.
After trailing 10-3 at half time, tries to scrumhalf Ben Wakely and replacement centre Chris Donnelly secured Eastwood an unlikely victory.
For Uni it was a case of what might have been, with the Students left to rue missed opportunities on an afternoon where they enjoyed the bulk of scoring opportunities.
The loss is the clubs second Shute Shield final defeat in succession after going down to Warringah in the 2005 decider.
Eastwoods title chase began poorly, a miscued pass by Wakely forcing Ben Batger to dive on the ball in an offside position with just 30 seconds of the match gone.
Nigel Staniforth made no mistake with the ensuing penalty from close range, putting the Students out to an early 3-nil lead.
The home side retaliated through a penalty to departing flyhalf Tim Donnelly, but not before losing Batger for the match to an ankle injury.
Uni was dealt a similar blow soon after with openside flanker and skipper David Haigh leaving the field with a dislocated elbow.
A relatively even first half hour finished with the opening try of the match, Unis Michael Griffin doing the honours after a neat piece of counter attack from Dean Mumm.
Backing up on the inside Griffin playing his 200th first grade game for the Students was handed an easy run to the line, his converted try taking the score along to 10-3 in favour of Uni.
There it remained until well after half time, the Students denied a try in the eighth minute of the half after Nick Haydons last pass to Dan Kelly Junior was ruled forward.
Still, Uni had enjoyed the bulk of the running up to that point, and had looked the more dangerous with the ball in hand.
As always Eastwood relied on the boot of Donnelly to keep them in the hunt, the flyhalf however proving uncharacteristically inaccurate, missing his second penalty goal for the match ten minutes after the break.
Eight minutes later, and with Donnelly in the blood bin, Eastwood opted against taking another shot, instead drumming the ball into the corner.
The decision would pay off two phases later, with Wakely scampering across for Eastwoods first try, giving the home side the opportunity to even the scores.
Donnelly, having returned with his head swathed in bandages, potted the conversion to take the score along to 10-all with 19 minutes play remaining.
Staniforth skewed a shot at penalty two minutes later and another five minutes closer to full time, denying the Students two excellent opportunities to take the lead with the match in the balance.
With the clock running down and Uni attacking Eastwoods line, an outstanding hit from Gareth Palamo on Tom Carter saw the Woods secure a turnover just as the Students appeared set to crack the defence.
The hit would ultimately prove a turning point, giving Eastwood vital momentum.
With their scrum providing the platform the Woods kicked deep for stand in Uni fullback Daniel Halangahu, making his return to club Rugby after his debut season with the Waratahs.
Halangahus attempt at clearance was charged down by local junior Chris Donnelly, who in turn won the race to the ball to secure an unlikely victory.
Fittingly, the final word went to Tim Donnelly, the skipper converting his brothers try to hand his side a 17-10 victory in his last final for Eastwood before flying out to join French club Brive.
EASTWOOD 17
Tries: Ben Wakely, Chris Donnelly
Conversions: Tim Donnelly [2/2]
Penalty Goals: Tim Donnelly [1/3]
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 10
Tries: Michael Griffin
Conversions: Nigel Staniforth [1/1]
Penalty Goals: Nigel Staniforth [1/3]
At TG Millner Field
Half Time: Uni 10-3
Referee: James Leckie
