Warringah kicked off a day of grand final celebrations on the northern beaches last weekend, with a thumping 41-17 win over arch-rivals Manly to lift the JR Henderson Shield. The Marlins had claimed bragging rights in both meetings between the two sides in the regular season, but the Rats saved their very best til last to romp home with a five tries to two victory.

The first silverware of grand final day last weekend headed south over the Harbour Bridge, as Sydney University lifted their fourth JR Henderson Cup in the last five years with a hard-fought 17-14 win over Northern Suburbs.

Just 10 seconds at Chatswood Oval earlier this season were enough to confirm that Paula Balekana was the real deal. Receiving the ball on his own 10 metre line and a few steps inside the right touchline, the electric Gordon winger stepped his way inside one opposition defender and outside another, before putting on the after-burners to effortlessly jink past two more and hold off a desperate chaser on his way to yet another five-pointer for the Highlanders.