Shute Shield: Manly and Norths come from behind to secure spot in top six
Manly and Norths both came from behind and claimed tight victories in round 10 to secure their spots in the Shute Shield top six.
Just two weeks after getting their pants pulled down by rivals Warringah in the second half of the local derby at Manly Oval, the Marlins produced a similar effort to steal victory from Gordon in a match the Stags really should have wrapped up.
Gordon led Manly 14-10 at the break after a fairly even first half, then extended their lead through Irish flyhalf Sean Kearns, who kicked two penalty goals and converted his own try to give the Stags what looked to be a comfortable 27-10 lead.
Manly hit back through reserve back Jay Baker in the 65th minute, then again through Harry Bergelin just minutes later to close the gap to three points.
Starting at flyhalf for the first time this year, James Ohmsen then split the Gordon defence and linked with Beaudein Waaka, who scored the Marlins third try in eight minutes to give his side a 31-27 lead.