MARLINS SINK STUDENTS TO BOOK GRAND FINAL BERTH
The Manly Marlins are the first team into the 2015 Intrust Super Shute Shield Grand Final with a 42-22 win over Sydney University at Manly Oval in front of a three thousand strong crowd in windy conditions.
With a wealth of experience in the Sydney University line-up, Manly were, on paper at least, the underdogs ahead of the first Semi-Final of the 2015 Intrust Super Shute Shield. But after a last minute release, Wycliff Palu – with 126 NSW Caps and 54 Wallaby Caps to his name – was named to start on the bench for the Marlins, bolstering a side that had already enjoyed an extremely successful season.
THE MATCH
Catchpole Medal nominee Dave Hickey was the first to score a try, crossing under the posts in the fifth minute of the match after some determined possession from the Students in the lead-up. A conversion from the reliable Angus Roberts saw Sydney Uni take a 7-0 lead in the early stages of the match.
Predictably, Matt Lucas and Sam Lane combined to create some opportunities for Manly, but dogged defence from the Sydney Uni backs prevented a breakthrough.
Angus Roberts showed some deft playmaking to find the gap and cross the line, converting his own try to take the Students to a 14-0 lead in the 16th minute of the match, Manly paying dearly for a lapse in defensive focus.
It wasn’t until the 21st minute that a tackle from Matt Lucas started a chain of events that would see Cadeyrn Neville cross in the corner for the Marlins’ first try, arresting the momentum that Sydney University had created. Sam Lane was unable to convert, so the score moved to 14-4 to Uni, a nine point lead.
Sydney University’s Jim Stewart was yellow-carded after tackling Reece Hodge in the air shortly after, giving Manly a solid opportunity to capitalise.
A further penalty against Sydney University saw Matt Lucas take over kicking duties, and successfully narrow Manly’s deficit to just six points.
The home side wasted no time to add to their score, with a line-out five metres out yielding a try to the prolific Alex Northam, and converted by Lucas to take the Marlins to a 15-14 lead in the 29th minute.
Manly’s Harry Bergelin was yellow-carded to even up the numbers on the field in the 30th minute, and Angus Roberts reclaimed the lead for the Students in the 34th minute after slotting a penalty goal. With Stewart back on the field, the Students were pushing hard but a penalty against Tom Coolican saw Matt Lucas steal the lead back with an accurate kick for goal.
With just a minute left to play in the half, Sydney University’s Dave Dennis’ magnificent run towards the try line was stopped short after a knock on was called, and the teams went into the break with Manly ahead by just one point over the Students, 18-17.
A sensational try from Matthew Naracott in the first 40 seconds of the second half from a high ball in the midfield was left unconverted, but Manly were quick to mount an attack in response shortly after.
The dynamic Dave Hickey looked to be on track for his second try of the match, but Manly’s Richard Hooper’s defensive efforts forced the turnover just short of the try line.
It was another spectacular try-scoring effort, this time from Reece Hodge who flew over the try line after assistance from Wycliff Palu. Another conversion attempt gone awry, Manly regained their one point lead, 23-22, over the Students with 25 minutes left to play.
Alex Northam crossed for his second try of the day in the 58th minute after being set up with a quality kick from Matt Lucas, who was later unable to convert taking the score to 28-22.
Manly further solidified their lead with a try to BJ Hartmann after sustained pressure from their forwards, Lucas was finally able to convert and the score moved to 35-22. Unbelievably, Wycliff Palu followed up with an almost length of the field run to score an extraordinary try in his return to club rugby.
With Sydney University needing to overcome a 20 point deficit in just over ten minutes, Manly seemed to have an unassailable lead. Despite this, the Marlins continued to attack but the valiant Students prevented any further scoring, and the teams left the field with the scores at 42-22 to the home side.
MANLY 42 (C Neville, A Northam 2, R Hodge, B Hartmann, W Palu tries; Lucas 3 goals, 2 penalty goals) beat SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 22 (D Hickey, A Roberts, M Naracott tries; A Roberts 2 goals, 1 penalty goal)
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