Warringah have kick started their Charter Hall Shute Shield campaign perfectly, accounting for last seasons quarter finalists with an impressive bonus point display.
The Rats looked the far stronger pack in overcast conditions at Pittwater Rugby Park, with the home sides second half scrum dominance a key hindrance to Randwick chipping away at the deficit.
The home side led for the entirety of the match, after the Galloping Greens early ill-discipline allowed their opponents to take an ultimately unassailable lead through the boot of skipper Ben Marr.
This scoreboard pressure was extended only five minutes later, after Warringah flyhalf Dean Blore excellently regathered his own charge down to race away for the games opening try.
Randwick were unlucky not to peg back some of the early deficit soon after, with a stray Warringah pass allowing Wicks flanker Thomas Serhon to display some soccer skills, grubbering the ball all the way to the opposite end of the field only to knock the ball on over the line.
However, the visitors did get another chance to consolidate in the 32nd minute. After four consecutive scrums close to the Rats line, Randwick skipper Mitchell Short was able to find in-form winger Christian Yassmin, who danced around two defenders to cross for his third of the season.
In his 100th appearance for the Club, Warringah center Tyson Davis was instrumental in his sides Round Two victory.
Davis’ rampaging ball running was a feature of the Rats attack, with the centurion regularly attracting multiple defenders to bring him down.
Following a period of sustained attacking pressure from the home side, another characteristically strong carry from Davis found the Wicks defense scrambling. Two phases later, some slick hands from flyhalf Dean Blore found winger Charlie Tupu unmarked in the corner and saw the scoreboard extend to 17-7.
A late first half try to Randwick blindside Ben Houston was to be the last points scored by the visitors on the day, with the Wicks pack noticeably tiring in the second half.
By comparison, the Rats put on a clinical second half display, winning multiple scrum penalties and piling pressure through a dominant rolling maul.
This sustained second half dominance will be cause for great joy within the Warringah faithful following a disappointing 2020 season, marred by inconsistent early form. The Rats looked the far fresher of the two sides, with lethargic Randwick execution limiting any attacking inroads the visitors could produce.
After sustained try line pressure late in the match, tries to replacements Ratu Kuitakeivuravura and Jack Nettleton secured Warringah the bonus point with a 29-12 victory.
The impressive victory will hopefully bode well for Warringah, who face Southern Districts away from home in Round Three of the Charter Hall Shute Shield. Souths will be stinging from two nail-biting encounters in the opening two rounds, going down to both Easts and Eastwood by only three points.
Randwick will be hoping for a considerably increased performance in Round Three as they gear up for the Battle of the East at Coogee Oval.
In the weekends other matches, Manly secured victory after the siren in a thrilling 24-22 win against Easts, Gordon continued their dominant form smashing the Two Blues 50-5, Norths were too strong for the Wildfires 23-3, Eastwood just edged out Southern Districts 28-25 and Sydney Uni easily accounted for West Harbour 57-15.
Result
Warringah 29
Tries: Blore, Tupu, Kuitakeivuravura, Nettleton
Cons: Marr 3
Pens: Marr
Yellow Card: Marr
Randwick 12
Tries: Yassmin, Houston
Cons: Carr
Round Two Results
Easts 22 v 24 Manly
Gordon 50 v 5 Two Blues
Wildfires 3 v 23 Norths
Southern Districts 25 v 28 Eastwood
Sydney Uni 57 v 15 West Harbour
Warringah 29 v 12 Randwick
Bye: Penrith
