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Marlins eye top of class after beating Students
By Adam Lucius
Manly's first win at University Oval in seven years on Saturday has the Marlins in with a shot of grabbing their first minor premiership since 1997.
Manly overcame a 17-3 deficit to stun the Students at home, running out deserving 37-25 winners to move into second spot on the Shute Shield table.
If leaders Eastwood are beaten by Uni on Saturday, the Marlins will finish first if they knock over Norths and Easts in their remaining games.
At the very least, Manly will finish in the top three and secure the double chance in the play-offs.
Anyway, let's not get ahead of ourselves.
A victory over Uni deserves to be savoured.
It looked anything but Manly's day early as the Students eased to a 17-3 lead midway through the first half.
But back-to-back tries to much-improved winger Richard Hooper - the second a brilliant sweeping movement involving six players over 70m - put Manly back in touch at 17-13.
With Kotoni Ale sent to the bin, Uni kicked again with their third try to lead 22-13.
But after the halftime bell - and with a brass band prematurely striking up on the sideline - try-scoring machine Elvis Taione crashed over to reduce the margin to two.
It gave the Marlins tremendous momentum heading into the second half.
Hooper showcased superb footwork and speed to claim his hat-trick early in the second half as Manly hit the front for the first time, 25-22.
Hot-headed Uni centre Tom Carter cost his side a certain try with an obstruction on 55 minutes, the Students left with a consolation penalty goal to draw level at 25-all.
But that was the last we'd hear from the Students.
A double to prop James Hilterbrand saw Manly clear out to claim a memorable win and make a bold statement that the 2012 title race is not a two-horse race.
As Manly Boom Boom reverberated around the visitors' dressing room for the first time since 2005, a beaming Tim Lane said: "This team's got a lot of courage and belief that we can come back.
"If you don't have belief then you can't climb the mountains.
"You've got to keep on believing and keep chipping away.
"We've come back against Eastwood to win and now come back against Uni."
No.8 Tevita Metuisela added: "It's quite tough to beat Uni here. They had a fair side out there but we stuck in there for 80 minutes.
"To win here so convincingly is very pleasing.
"It gives us a good run into the finals series.
"You want to get that top two spot. Over the years the team that's won the title has always finished one or two.
"Our destiny is in our own hands. It comes down to how we perform against Norths and Easts."
The Marlins have next weekend off before hosting Northern Suburbs at Manly Oval on August 11.