All grades and a few Emu Burgers

A clean sweep for the Marlins out at Nepean Rugby Park against a much improved Penrith club was a welcome result that sees the Marlin Army still locked in 3^rd spot on the Club Championship ladder.

The Emus are a much stronger opponent in 2011 and you only had to look at the 1^st grade result at Coogee last weekend to see how much better they really are! Penrith must be filthy there was no footage of the game but the win will go down in the history books – one the Emus can be very proud of and one the Wicks in time will never admit to!

Penrith are unable to field a 1s & 2s colts side but there was a 3^rd grade colts game and the Baby Marlins did battle on Nepean Rugby Park’s No 2 pitch. The baby Marlins got the spoils in a very physical game with 4 red cards & 1 young Manly bloke spending some time in Nepean Hospital – no doubt a popular place on a Saturday night.

The colts game was a good precedent for the grades with physicality a key feature of all the Emus sides.

1^st grade experienced this physicality first hand as they grafted away to a 30-21 bonus point victory. It was a “smash and grab” approach with the Marlins escaping with a bonus point victory and a few bumps and bruises. The top squad looked in control for much of the match and although Penrith always remained a threat the boys seemed to have their measure for most of the afternoon. It was a very good performance from the Marlins pack who are clearly starting to become a very formidable force under the guidance of the ever wise Turtle.

New South African import JP Du Plessis had his best outing to date for the Marlin’s and with some of his recent off field antics it probably couldn’t come any sooner! The naturally confident Saffa told some Marlin’s that he only has a crack at 9 or 10 out of 10 women and he regularly requires a brush on the sidelines to clean his boots on muddy days. Luckily JP had his game on show for Saturday and if he keeps up these performances he might start to become tolerable.

1^st grade will now look to regroup and take on the unpredictable Cabana Bar Commandos from North Sydney.

Leaving Manly at 11am for a 1.30pm kick-off in Penrith with a bus driver who refused to pay a single toll en route to Nepean Rugby Park was the dilemma coaches McGoldrick & Brown faced pre kick off on Saturday. Luckily the troops arrived just on time for the run on but the 1^st half was clearly down to the poor preparation. The reggies failed to take advantage of the conditions and with a slender 14 – 7 lead at half time there was some real concern in the half time huddle. But with the chop tackle and ball retention messages from “McBrown” firmly in the boys head the Marlins clicked into gear and scored 42 unanswered points in a dominant 2^nd half.

What has been most pleasing for the 2^nd grade squad lately has been the contribution from the 3^rd grade bench players when they are thrust into the action. In the past fortnight instead of slowing down in games the energy from the bench has actually picked up the teams performances and these contributions are not going unnoticed. There are plenty of blokes still battling for positions in all grades and this healthy competition is keeping all players on their toes! As rep honours and injuries mount throughout the season there is every faith the higher grades can call on the grade below for the next guy waiting for his opportunity.

3^rd grade were probably the most complete performance on the weekend with the boys never troubled in a comprehensive 54-7 victory. Racing away to a 3 try to nil advantage at halftime the thirsty thirds finished the 2^nd half in style with some great tries. Jack Rowntree had a particularly impressive outing and he also contributed very well in the 2^nd grade match later in the day. Jack is a fiery little character (just ask the Easts blokes from Cowra) from up Narrabeen way and although he played some juniors up there we won’t hold it against him!

4^th grade is a cultural melting pot at the moment with as many 5 different nations featuring in Adam MacDonald’s mighty side. English import Andy Taylor got his trademark souvenir from the “Riff” sporting a lovely black eye that no doubt got him some sympathy votes from the cougars at the Boatshed on Saturday night. Chris Soderman is the token Yank at the Marlins in 2011 – Chris has been giving the USA 2012 tour organisers some valued feedback to ensure the big trip is one to remember! Love your work Sod’s! Oh yeah the mighty 4s got up 29-21! Well done lads!

As we all know one of the features of Nepean Rugby Park is the Emu Burger! Well after the 2^nd grade match not even the cold shower could dampen my spirits as I skipped over to the canteen to place my annual order.

“One Emu Burger please”

“We’ve run out of Emu burgers”  

“Excuse me?”

“We’ve run out of Emu Burgers”

“You mean to tell me that I have to wait another year for an Emu Burger??”

“Yeah well if your 4^th grade side didn’t have 4 each there wouldn’t be a problem”

Tom Sparkes – I’m looking at you!!!!!

Well done boys! A hard fought clean sweep against the Emus and we are in good shape as we welcome the Shoremen to Gods country on the weekend. It’s a huge month ahead with Norths, Souths, Uni and Randwick after the long weekend! It’s a season defining stretch that we all need to be ready for!

A quick well done to ex Marlin Adam Darcy who has just been resigned with Ulster for another 2 years. Darce has continued the success of recent Manly fullbacks like Peter Hewat and is enjoying a very successful professional rugby career in Europe. We hear that Adam’s recent performances have caught the eye of Irish national selectors! (Darce has Irish heritage and is eligible!) Well done from all the Marlins mate and enjoy the off-season! (Hi Anna – we have not forgotten  you either! We miss your dedicated barracking and semi-abuse of all things non Marlin!!)  

See you at the rugby!

Bergo