The South West Rocks Marlins went down to the Laurieton Stingrays over the weekend 26 to 18 in a tough match that saw a daring second half comeback nearly engulf the strong Laurieton side.
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In only their second loss of the season, the Marlins looked to be down and out before the end of the first half, but a quick try just before the half time whistle saw the South West Rocks team push back against the strong Laurieton side.
"We were getting beaten 24 to 0 at one point, just before half time, we managed to get a try in," coach Sam Drew said.
"Then we came out in the second half, and the boys started to get some points on the board."
The South West Rocks side has been a wrecking ball the last few weeks beating some teams by up to 40 points, this time though, they just couldn't make up the points before the final whistle.
Laurieton has jumped over us on the ladder; if they go down and we win, there is a good chance we will overtake them again.
- Marlins coach Sam Drew
"A penalty goal from the Stingrays was it, after that there was no chance of catching them before full time," Drew said.
"We had our chances; there were a few bombed tries, that's just sport sometimes, anything can happen."
After the narrow defeat on the weekend, the Marlins have lost the top spot in on the Hastings League ladder, but with two games left, they still have time to take it back. Coach Sam Drew is hesitant to vie for the top spot again before the finals though.
"Laurieton has jumped over us on the ladder; if they go down and we win, there is a good chance we will overtake them again," he said.
"I think it would be better for us to stay in second and not have the week off, and keep the playing momentum going."
This weekend the Marlins will take on the Magpies, and while they haven't been a competitive side this year, the South West Rocks coach is still taking them seriously.
"The Magpies always show up to play against us, they've played very well against us in the past," he said.
"This weekend is also the second annual Mobs Marlins Old Boys game; we are calling on all former South West Rocks Marlins to come down in their old gear."
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