22°C | Tuesday October 21, 2025 
7 July 2025
Norths Rugby
After a heartbreaking loss last week against Gordon, the Shoremen were hungry to return to the winner’s circle at North Sydney Oval against West Harbour. Marshall Le Maitre ensured Norths got off to a strong start, scoring a try in just the first minute of the game. James Margan joined him on the scoresheet just 5 minutes later, burrowing over to give the Shoremen a 12-0 lead after the conversion. West Harbour responded strongly with tries in the 12th and 15th minutes. By the 20th minute, it was clear the game would be a try-fest, as Norths drove over again with Margan claiming his second try of the contest. The veteran hooker has now scored 9 tries this season! Just 9 minutes later, Norths were over again thanks to Callum Sirker. Marshall Le Maitre and Josh Barr then combined for another try, breaking the line deep in their own half and going all the way, with Barr claiming the try. At halftime, the score was 33-7.
In the 48th minute, Saxon Gillies opened the second-half scoring with a try. Leading 40-7, the Shoremen made it a massacre when Carrick McDonough crossed on the left wing, just moments after Margan almost crossed for a hat-trick. West Harbour showed some fight, scoring two tries. But a try from substitution Doug Philipson and Josh Barr grabbing a double put the icing on the cake for Norths. At the full-time hooter, it was a thumping 61-19 victory for the home side. A bonus point win was just what the doctor ordered, moving the side to 7th on the ladder.
Next week, the Shoremen will face Sydney Uni, who sit just below them on the table.
North Shore Bombers
Both Bombers’ sides had thrilling games over the weekend when they travelled to Trumper Oval to face UTS.
The women’s side was up first, looking sluggish as they got off to a 21-7 1st quarter. They would kick into gear by the 2nd, booting 2 goals while holding UTS to just 1 for a 29-21 halftime score. Coming out of the halftime break, the Bombers took flight, kicking 4 goals to claim the lead heading into the final quarter. The final minutes of the game were thrilling, scrapping to a 7.8.50 to 8.4.52 victory. UTS had plenty of chances to grab the win but couldn’t convert their opportunities in front of the goals. Captain Matilda Eder had a characteristically strong performance.
The men followed and got off to a steady start, booting up 2 goals to 1 in the 1st quarter, followed by 4 goals to 3 in the 2nd. At the half, North Shore had a steady 26-40 lead, but would face a resurgent UTS in the 3rd quarter. The home side went off, scoring 5 goals to the Bombers’ 1, taking the lead 57-48 heading into the final quarter. It was a real nail-biter as the clock wound down, with the Bombers just taking the lead in the final minutes for a 9.7.61 to 19.9.61 victory. Max Thomas led scoring with 3 goals while Ethan Grace booted a double. Max Toohey, Finn Chalmers, Sean Netting and Thomas Gillis were also best on ground. This clutch win kept the Bombers’ boys in 2nd on the ladder.
Next week is a big one for the Bombers, facing up against the tough East Coast Eagles.
Norths Basketball
A double-header at the Bear Cave saw Norths hosting Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Spiders on Saturday and Illawarra Hawks on Sunday. Both the men’s and women’s sides were keen to solidify their finals spots with only 3 rounds left in the season.
The Bears women got the party started early on the Saturday, blowing the Spiders out 103-59. Former Spider Carla Pitman had a historic triple-double performance, with 32 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists and 5 steals. Maddie O’Hehir also stepped up against her old club, posting 20 points and 7 assists. Emma Donnelly had 21 points and 10 rebounds in the victory, then backed it up with an impressive 14 points and 13 rebounds on the Sunday vs Illawarra. The Hawks match-up was much of the same, with the Bears women storming to an 82-64 win. Despite a resilient performance from the Hawks, it was never really a contest. Maddie O’Hehir was at it again, this time putting up 27 points, while Caitlyn Martin added 20 points and 9 assists. 2 wins from 2 games helped Norths to 2nd on the women’s NBL1 East ladder, just behind rivals Manly.
For the Norths men, the weekend’s two match-ups were must-wins. The Spiders were super competitive, taking the lead in the 1st quarter. The Bears then flipped the script, fighting back to take the next 3 quarters and claim a 90-83 victory. Import Austin Patterson was unstoppable, putting up 31 points, while Matt Wacher had 19. Patterson was again in fine form on Sunday, scoring 22 points. The Hawks have a star-studded line-up in 2025, with several NBL players. The match was an absolute thriller, with both sides scoring on demand. Hawks took the 1st half narrowly, before Norths put on a run in the 3rd. The final quarter was an instant classic, as the Hawks just edged out a victory 101-103 on the back of an incredible 44-point performance from star Todd Blanchfield. For the Bears, Hunter Goodrick had a strong 21-point, 11-rebound performance. Despite the loss, Norths would be proud of their performance, but are back in a tight finals fight with the final 4 top 8 spots still up for grabs.
Next week, Norths will host the Central Coast. For the women, it should be an easy win, while the men desperately need a win against a Central Coast side who are tied with them on the ladder.
North Sydney Bears
It’s always a special day when North Sydney Bears and Newtown Jets go head to head, two of the competition’s most popular sides. Just weeks ago, Newtown beat Norths at North Sydney Oval, giving the Bears plenty of motivation heading to Henson Park. The Bears got off to a bad start, conceding in the first minute. Fullback Jake Toby pulled Norths back in the 9th minute after a sensational charge down and lightning-quick run to set up a try. The rest of the first half was a close affair, despite the Bears conceding two more tries. Israel Ogden did provide hope with a 39th-minute try after the Jets fumbled the ball on their own try line. A manageable 18-10 margin at the halftime break.
Unfortunately, the Jets came out of the sheds with focus, scoring tries in the 45th and 53rd minute to make it 30-10. Norths would then fight back, getting back-to-back tries of their own courtesy of Moses Leo and Haradyn Wilson, just two minutes apart from each other. Within striking distance, the Bears would fade, conceding another try just moments before fulltime for a 36-22 loss.
With this result, the Bears drop out of the top 8 into 9th place. Next week, the Bears are back at home to face the Bulldogs.
View this post on Instagram