Sydney has seen off a determined NSW Country side 42-17 at Coogee Oval, in the first meeting between the two representative teams since 1995. On a rain-soaked and windswept day, hardly conducive to rugby at all let alone running rugby, both sides should be commended for putting on as much of a show as possible, before conditions deteriorated to such a point in the 2nd half that merely holding onto the ball was an achievement.

Eastern Suburbs have cemented their top three position on the Shute Shield ladder by overcoming a resolute Penrith side 31-20 at Nepean Rugby Park.