Following the postponement of this year’s Dewar Shield due to COVID-19, we’re following some of our favourite Melbourne Rebels who’ve elected to play in Sydney’s Shute Shield competition. Catch up on their performances below.
One of Shute Shield’s fiercest rivalries added some Melbourne flavour when five Rebels took to the field during Randwick’s shocking 42-24 win over Sydney University on Saturday.
The Galloping Greens entered the clash against the reigning champions with redemption firmly on their minds, following last week’s demoralising 29-point defeat to the Northern Suburbs.
Randwick made their intentions clear from the outset, racing out to a 28-point lead within the first 30 minutes, on their way to claiming the season defining bonus point victory.
Prop Cabous Eloff starred for the winners, providing excellent physicality in the Randwick pack for the entirety of the contest.
Having played a combined 53 minutes in the previous four weeks, the South African native registered an astonishing 80 minutes of game time, in one of his best games of 2020.
Another Rebel who played an influential role in Randwick’s blistering first half start, was Jeral Skelton.
Making his first start at the No.8, Skelton showcased his bright promise early with several passages of astonishing power and ruthless physicality, including one bone crunching tackle on Darcy Breen in the 16th minute.
In 73 minutes, Skelton claimed 5 tackles, beat 2 defenders and made 6 carries, in a performance sure to excite Melbourne fans heading into season 2021.
For the Students, Declan Moore was among University's best recording 44 metres and 8 carries, while also managing to score a try in the process.
Josh Kemeny was equally impressive, with the flanker finishing with 41 metres, 8 carries and 6 tackles, while Theo Strang came on in the 63rd minute, running for 8 metres.
In other games, Rob Leota made first appearance for the Eastern Suburbs, during his side’s 22-5 win over Manly. The twenty-three-year-old flanker recorded 7 carries and 5 tackles, with 5 defenders beaten.
Meanwhile the round’s final game between Gordon and Northern Suburbs provided a family affair for the Abel family, with Charlie running out alongside brothers Jake and Robbie for the first time this year.
The top of the table blockbuster shaped as one of the games of the season, with Gordon entering the match undefeated after nine rounds.
Unfortunately for the Abel brothers, their side got off to the worse possible start – conceding a try from kick off, within the first nine seconds of the game.
While Gordon clawed their way back – getting to within four points with just 18 minutes remaining – Northern Suburbs ultimately held on, winning 24- 13 and emerging as a genuine title contender.
Despite the loss, Charlie Abel managed to get quality game time under his belt, with the prop playing out the entire 80-minute contest, running for 17 metres, with 6 carries and 7 tackles in defence.
