The East Campbelltown Eagles downed Mounties 34-12 in the NSW rugby league Sydney Shield competition on Sunday.
The match was played at Waminda Oval and Eagles players wore specially designed jerseys in memory of Benny Stevens. It was also Old Boys day, so the Eagles had an extra couple of reasons to go for victory.
The Eagles were first to post points when front rower Jacob Nansen reached over the line to slam the ball down to score for the Eagles, and Harding converted for the Eagles to go to 6 Nil.
Mounties took no time at all to find numbers down a short side to score in the corner to get back in contention at 6-4.
The Eagles, who were without captain Wayde Dunley, moved full back Sean Connor to half back, and Sean Connor showed great strength to score next for the Eagles and Harding added the two points for the Eagles to hit a 12-4 lead.
In the next 20 minutes of play the Eagles blew a number of certain scoring opportunities, but Mounties made no mistakes, running in two tries to level the scores right on half time 12-all.
During the second half the defence from both sides was brutal, putting on a great show for the massive crowd, but the Eagles slowly were winning field position with the wind in their wings.
Tries to Sam Hoare, Ronnie Palumbo, Fusi Toutai and Sean Connor scoring his second for the day, and with Harding on song, kicking 3 from 4 in the second half, the Eagles had landed another two premiership points.
Best for the Eagles was Filipo Sauvao, Jarryd Eggleton and Man of the Match performance from Sean Connor.
Tries: Jacob Nansen, Sam Hoare, Ronnie Palumbo, Fusi Toutai, Sean Connor 2.
Goals: Steven Harding 5 from 6.
