By Adam Lucius

Thirteen minutes into the second half of Saturday's clash with winless Parramatta, Manly was facing one of the most embarrassing defeats in its long history.

The courageous Two Blues, who were belted 111-0 in the corresponding clash just three months previously, trailed 22-21 and were closing in for the kill.

Then Manly's class kicked in, three late tries seeing off Parramatta as the relieved peninsula club high-tailed it out of Granville with a 48-21 victory.

Skipper Wil Brame collected a double, as did Dylan Sigg.

It finished a deceiving eight tries to three, the Marlins moving into second spot on the table after the Rats upset Eastwood.

While it was a little bit too close for comfort at times, Manly coach Phil Blake was in an unforgiving mood.

The visitors were missing a couple of key players just seven days after a draining win over Randwick.

A let down at atmosphere-challenged Granville Rugby Park was almost inevitable.

"Straight after the game I didn't think we'd played all that well," Blake said.

"But then I looked at the match on replay and we weren't as bad as I first thought.

"There were actually some pretty good periods of play from us and we were up against a much more committed and well organised side than the one we played in the first round.

"They will knock somebody off out there before the year is up.

"We got the five points, came away without any injuries and now we move on to even bigger challenges."

First stop is Shute Shield leaders Southern Districts at Manly Oval next Saturday.

The Rebels got one home by one point at Forshaw back in round two, eventually winning 10 straight before getting rolled by Eastwood in round 11.

"We were disappointed to get beaten down there and this is a game we've had circled for a quite a while," Blake said.

"They have been the benchmark team so far this year but we give ourselves a real hope, especially at home."