4 from 7 for Manly against Norths, and Manly's depth is working hard given unfortunate injury, and notable representative honours with 4 players heading to France for the U20's (could have been 6 but 2 injuries) the Manly academy!!!!, and Eddie and Will off to join Vis to represent Tonga for a month. It'd be great to have all these players back on deck towards the seasons end.
Missed 4's but 3's Manly fought out a tight game and closed it out in the later stages.
2's kept there record for the season in tact but did work hard all game given the pre game changes. Andrew Davis had a great game leading by example and was always on the ball with some good turn overs.
Having some tall timber in the line out with the return of Dave Shotton upset the Norths rythym with some good steals in the first half.
With Tom Chesters being called up to 1's Sam Brisby played his part at 10 and the backline lined up.
1's 1 - 8 played a tight solid game, Kotoni made same big plays when required, and Sig had some strong ball carries. The first half was a hard fight with neither team having real dominance, it appeared that if either team could score back to back they could continue on with it. A try 5 minutes before the break, and another try just after was just what we needed.
After the break, and with some points buffer we looked to play with a bit more space and there were was some nice backline play that did not lead to points but was great to see. Brain Sef again was very strong with ball in hand and defence, on a number of occasions his runs had you thinking Vis was back on the field. Last year Norths Bill Meakes created trouble out wide - Woodhouse chopped him down every time with some great old school defence. Chesters has had a great season to date in 2's and was rewarded with a start in 1's, he continued his good form a the back.
The score line would have been more impressive if the shots at goal went over.
What a season to date;
After last season and the preseason chatter about the Wicks - after 8 rounds they lead the Club Championships - congrats.
Beasties having a solid start with some wins, a couple of very close losses, some bigger ones, then making a statements beating the Woodies.
Randwick downing Souths yesterday was also against the run of all the tipsters.
Next week has some interesting clashes
Club Championship leaders Randwick V Uni.
and Manly travels South.
and albeit the 2 Blues are now a quality team - the clash of the west.