Curtis Woodward and Luke Potter were joined in the pre-show by St George Illawarra legend Shaun Timmins. The Cutters were rightful favourites heading into the clash with the Bears but it was the visitors who walked away with the two competition points after an impressive performance from young hooker Brad Deitz, Cheyne Whitelaw and halfback Eli Levido.

The inclusion of Kurt Mann in the Cutters outfit made no difference with the out-of-form fullback leaving the field early with injury. Illawarra had plenty of chances but the last tackle options of Drew Hutchison and Shaun Nona really hurt them and were totally outplayed by their opposites.

Brad Deitz won our Man of the Match award but it could have also gone to Levido or Whitelaw.

 
Bears 24: Hughes 2, Murphy, Tasi tries, Levido 4 goals defeated Cutters 12: Carr, Brown, Host tries at WIN Stadium.

 
ILLAWARRA CUTTERS
19. Kurt Mann 5
2. Tom Carr 7
3. Taane Brown 6
4. Corey Brown 6
5. Kalifa Faifai Loa 6
6. Shaun Nona 4
7. Drew Hutchison 4
8. Dunamis Lui 6
21 Sam Coster 7
10. Sebastine Ikahihifo 6
11. Tyrone McCarthy 5
12. Jacob Host 6
13. Jake Marketo 6

Interchange:
14. Blake Wallace 6
17. Shannon Wakeman 7
22. Levi Dodd 4
23 Damian Sironen 7

TOTAL: 98

 
NORTH SYDNEY BEARS
1. Sitiveni Moceidreke 8
2. Tautalatasi Tasi 7
3. Dane Nielsen 6
4. Ed Murphy 6
1. Tom Hughes 7
6. Riley Travers 7
7. Eli Levido 9
8. Clayton Williams 8
9. Brad Dietz 9
10. Toby Rudolf 7
11. Jack Gosiewski 7
12. Patrice Siolo 8
13. Cheyne Whitelaw 9

Interchange:
14. Piki Rogers 5
15. Jack Siejka 7
16. Fred Junior Mauala 5
17. Brock Gray 5

TOTAL: 120