A determined second-half display wasn't enough for the North Sydney Bears, who were unable to overcome the South Sydney Rabbitoh 30-24 at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The match kicked off with plenty of promise for the competition heavyweights, as Allan Fitzgibbon found his way to the try line after just five minutes.
The Rabbitohs wasted no time in returning serve, with five-eighth Dion Teaupa crossing to give his side a slender 6-4 advantage after 10 minutes.
Souths extended their lead seven minutes later when Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson scored to put them up by eight.
Starting to take control of the contest, South Sydney established a hefty half-time lead as star winger Tyrone Munro crossed twice before the break to bring their totally up 24 points.
North Sydney opened the second half just as they did the first, with Fitzgibbon scoring a quick try to bring back four points.
Just six minutes later, Reuben Porter crossed for the Bears’ third try, cutting the deficit to 10 points with almost half an hour still left to play.
With Fitzgibbon finding the stripe to secure a hat trick, the Bears had officially fought their way back into the contest as a margin of only one converted try separated the sides.
Just six minutes later, South Sydney regained a double-digit lead as Tom Carr scored, with halfback Dean Hawkins kicking his fifth conversion of the evening to put them 12 points clear.
The Bears were able to halve Souths’ lead with a try to front rower Regan Hughes but couldn’t quite find another to tie the game up.
The Bears will take on the New Zealand Warriors in a weeks’ time at Leichhardt Oval to face off for a spot in the NSW Cup Grand Final.
