Shute Shield: Two Blues Topple Misfiring Marlins
by Brendan Bradford -
That’s what happens when Parramatta puts it all together.
After looking promising but inconsistent in losses to Sydney University and Randwick in the opening two rounds of the Shute Shield, the Two Blues turned in a controlled performance at a rain soaked Merrylands RSL Rugby Park to run away with a bonus point 41-17 win over the Manly Marlins on Saturday afternoon.
Parramatta had a strong wind at their backs in the first half and although they racked up 15-points before Manly had any decent attack, a 15-7 advantage at the break looked tenuous at best against an undefeated Manly side that had amassed a whopping 82-points in their opening two matches. They didn’t make it easy for themselves with an 11-3 penalty count against them in second 40, bu