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Marlins Thrive Under Friday Night Lights
Marlins Thrive Under Friday Night Lights
Peter Bowers, June 25, 2012
Manly will finish anywhere between second and fifth when the Shute Shield competition splits in two following Friday night's 41-21 win over West Harbour.
On a bitterly cold evening at Manly Oval, the Marlins raced to a 31-7 lead in the first half before coasting to a bonus point victory over a physical but outclassed Pirates side.
The win lifts Tim Lane's men into fourth position on the table with one round of the two-part season to be played.
Manly are also sitting fourth on the crucial 'Club Championship'—behind Uni, Eastwood and Norths—meaning they are well placed to finish among the top half clubs.
After next week the competition splits in two, with the top six clubs playing for home-ground finals, while the bottom six battle it out for the two remaining finals positions.
Within three-minutes of kick-off, Manly scored their first try from some solid forward hit-ups.
Their next try could be credited to the forward pack, although it was more in the style of the backs.
No.8 Neil Meyer made a break and then grubber kicked in field. Manly re-gathered, won the ball in a ruck, and sent it flying across the backline.
Prop Dane Maraki completed the move by finding an overlap on the right wing.
The try was finished with hooker Josh Mann-Rae—playing at blindside flanker—kicking for goal.
The backs joined the try-fest with fancy footwork from a lineout, and one to the galloping centre Peter Gilmore.
"That's probably the best half we've had all season", said coach Tim Lane at halftime.
The second half also had some good moments, although West Harbour scored more points.
Centre Brian Sefanaia and prop Dane Maraki scored entertaining tries, both capitalising on breaks from winger Richard Hooper.
Only a modest crowd saw the victory, as Manly's fans had voted with their feet against Friday night games.
Openside flanker Ryan Hodson was voted Player's Player and said of the match, "We obviously started really well and that was pleasing...then our 'D' (defence) held up pretty well.
"We let in a couple of soft tries, but I guess, that was always going to happen against a pretty loose team like West Harbour".
After experiencing some Super Rugby with the Melbourne Rebels, Hodson says, "I'm back at Manly and I'll be here for the rest of the season, so hopefully we can finish it off in the finals".