0°C | Thursday November 13, 2025 
26 May 2025
By James Mullan
The Shoremen played out an absolute thriller at North Sydney Oval against rivals Uni, with a finish straight out of a fairytale, while Norths Women’s Basketball made it 10 wins from 10 to remain undefeated.
Norths Rugby
This match-up had been circled on Norths fans’ calendars since the draw was released. Here we go again: Norths vs Sydney University. Years of history between the two clubs were set for a new chapter at North Sydney Oval, with the John Thornett Cup on the line.
The game lived up to the hype. Within two minutes, Norths had crossed for a try thanks to a simple pick-and-drive from Marshall Le Maitre. Uni responded, but the Shoremen’s forwards stepped up again to score a second try in the 30th minute, with captain Sam Kitchen claiming the points. At the half-time siren, Uni scored again to level it 14-14 at the break.
A Uni try and penalty had Norths trailing 14-24, 50 minutes into the game. Then scrum-half Seamus Smith broke through and set up Tom Bacon for a try. The Shoremen were over again just eight minutes later, with winger Reece Mau’u scoring down the left side.
With the clock winding down, Norths were still behind. But in the 74th minute, relentless pressure led to another try from Marshall Le Maitre. After a penalty goal, Uni edged ahead 29-30 and looked set to steal the win. The full-time siren sounded, but Norths still had possession. Two minutes into extra time, a penalty was awarded to Norths 50 metres out. Matt Minogue stepped up to the tee with a chance to win the game—and nailed it for a 32-30 victory!
A much-needed win, and in dramatic fashion to take out the Thornett Cup. The boys in red and black will look to carry that momentum into next week when they head to Pittwater to face Warringah.
Norths Basketball
Heading into Saturday’s match-up with the Inner West Bulls, the Bears’ women were defending their undefeated record, while the men were trying to return to the winner’s circle.
The women were up first and played a tightly contested first half, finishing with a 56-41 lead at the break. Just when it looked like the Bulls might stay in touch, Norths put their foot down and stormed to a 113-67 win. Peggy Schell had a career-high 25 points and 8 rebounds, while star Maddie O’Hehir continued her stellar season with 26 points.
The men’s game was a slow arm-wrestle. Neither team could seize momentum in the first half, but in the third quarter, Norths fell apart, leaving the gate open for the Bulls. Despite 26 points from import Austin Patterson, the Bears fell 81-68, slipping to a 4-6 record.
Next week, the Bears will head to the Hunter region to face Newcastle on Saturday and Maitland on Sunday.
North Sydney Bears
Just under halfway through the season, the Bears were looking to turn their fortunes around, having slipped out of the top 8 last week. The storm clouds had cleared over Redfern Oval, making for ideal footy conditions as the Rabbitohs and Bears took the field.
The less said about Norths’ performance, the better—they didn’t even register a try. A lone penalty goal from Harradyn Wilson was all they could manage in a disappointing 18-2 loss.
Next up is a blockbuster against old foes Manly at Brookvale Oval.
North Shore Bombers
All Bombers Premier Division games were washed out this week after heavy rain left fields unplayable.