Six teams became four across all grades in week one of the NSW Premiership Finals Series, setting the scene for this weekend’s Grand Final qualifiers.

The Elimination Semifinals of the Tooheys New Shute Shield were played in contrasting conditions over the weekend, with passionate Rugby also fought out in the lower grades and Colts competitions.

Following their victory over West Harbour in the wind and rain at Western Weekender Stadium, Eastern Suburbs will now meet minor premiers Sydney University at Coogee in Saturday’s ABC TV Match of the Day.

Randwick, who accounted for Warringah yesterday at Woollahra Oval, has earned a Preliminary Final meeting with Gordon on Sunday at Pittwater Rugby Park.

The winners of each Preliminary Final will face off in the Shute Shield Grand Final on Saturday 20 September at Concord Oval.

Preliminary Finals in 2nd, 3rd and 4th Grades will also be played on Saturday at Coogee Oval and Sunday at Pittwater Rugby Park. Colts (1st, 2nd and 3rd Grade) Preliminary Finals will take place on Saturday at Forshaw Rugby Park and on Sunday at Woollahra Oval.

2008 NSW PREMIERSHIP FINALS SERIES WEEK TWO – PRELIMINARY FINALS
Saturday 13 September
Coogee Oval
3:10pm Tooheys New Shute Shield (1st Grade) – Sydney University v Eastern Suburbs (ABC TV)
1:20pm Colin Caird Shield (2nd Grade) – Eastern Suburbs v Northern Suburbs
11:50am Henderson Shield (3rd Grade) – Gordon v Eastern Suburbs
10:20am Henderson Cup (4th Grade) – Randwick v Northern Suburbs
Forshaw Rugby Park, Sylvania
3:00pm 1st Colts – Sydney University v West Harbour
1:20pm 2nd Colts – Sydney University v Gordon
11:50am 3rd Colts – Sydney University v Gordon

Sunday 14 September
Pittwater Rugby Park, Narrabeen
3:00pm Tooheys New Shute Shield (1st Grade) – Gordon v Randwick
1:20pm Colin Caird Shield (2nd Grade) – Eastwood v Gordon
11:50am Henderson Shield (3rd Grade) – Manly v Randwick
10:20am Henderson Cup (4th Grade) – Sydney University v Gordon
Woollahra Oval
3:00pm 1st Colts – Eastern Suburbs v Gordon
1:20pm 2nd Colts – Southern Districts v Eastern Suburbs
11:50am 3rd Colts – Randwick v Manly

2008 NSW PREMIERSHIP FINALS SERIES WEEK ONE – ELIMINATION SEMIFINAL RESULTS
Saturday 6 September
Western Weekender Stadium, St Marys
Tooheys New Shute Shield (1st Grade) – Eastern Suburbs 28 d West Harbour 15
Colin Caird Shield (2nd Grade) – Gordon 29 d Randwick 17
Henderson Shield (3rd Grade) – Eastern Suburbs 23 d Sydney University 11
Henderson Cup (4th Grade) – Northern Suburbs 8 d Manly 7
Coogee Oval
1st Colts – Gordon 26 d Randwick 9
2nd Colts – Eastern Suburbs 14 d West Harbour 13
3rd Colts – Manly 15 d West Harbour 5

Sunday 7 September
Woollahra Oval
Tooheys New Shute Shield (1st Grade) – Randwick 30 d Warringah 24
Colin Caird Shield (2nd Grade) – Northern Suburbs 17 d Manly 5
Henderson Shield (3rd Grade) – Randwick 15 d Eastwood 3
Henderson Cup (4th Grade) – Gordon 41 d West Harbour 31
Forshaw Rugby Park, Sylvania
1st Colts – West Harbour 45 d Eastwood 8
2nd Colts – Gordon 22 d Randwick 18
3rd Colts – Gordon 22 d Eastern Suburbs 5

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