Warringah centre Michael Adams finishes off a superb length of the field try
Photo: karenwatsonphotography.com.au

by Felicity Nethery –

The Bayfield Cup is back in Warringah hands after the Rats produced a stunning five-try backline display to upset local rivals Manly 43-34, at Pittwater Rugby Park on Saturday afternoon.

In front of a packed crowd of 4,255 people, both the Marlins and the Rats made sure local rugby fans had something to cheer about. With a bounty of tries and 80 minutes of intense rugby, this local derby made for one of the most entertaining games of the Shute Shield season.

It was clear from the beginning Warringah were committed to backing their strengths and playing their usual style of running rugby.

Rats coach Haig Sare spoke of his side’s attacking effort “We certainly went out there to play to our strengths, using the ball and spreading it through the hands and while that can be high risk it also comes with high reward.” he told Rugby News.

Despite the Rats’ willingness to spread the ball wide in the first-half they only managed to cross the line once, as winger Brad Dixon finished off a mighty 60-metre effort in the corner. Instead it was the boot of flyhalf Hamish Angus who had them leading 16-6 at the break, with three penalties and a conversion to his name. Dane Chisholm slotted two penalties for Manly in response.

A section of the big, happy crowd at Pittwater Rugby Park
Photo: karenwatsonphotography.com.au

The Rats came out firing from the sheds, scoring in the opening minutes of the second-half as centre Michael Adams sold a dummy at the line and was over. Adams didn’t have long to celebrate as his good work was marred by a yellow card, sent to the bin for a professional foul for not rolling away.

Manly quickly took advantage of the numbers game and mounted a fight back, scoring twice against Warringah’s 14 men and showing the sort of play that has kept them on top of the table. The first was a rumbling forwards effort as Marlins breakaway Harry Bergelin fought off three defenders at the line to score. The second went to fullback Shaun Treweek who finished off a break from Chisholm, who converted the try to make it a one-point ball game.

Only minutes after returning from the sin-bin Michael Adams was in again, putting the finishing touches on a Warringah length of the field special in what just might be the try of the year. The Rats had the Pittwater crowd in raptures as the support play kept coming with good hands spreading the ball down the line to showcase what the fleet footed Rats do best.

Warringah No.8 Sam Ward scores off a charge down – Photo: karenwatsonphotography.com.au

The entertainment kept coming for the Warringah crowd with replacement winger Harry Jones scoring an intercept try off his first touch of the match. But with 12 minutes to play the Marlins were not done yet as co-captain Greg Peterson showed good footwork for a second-rower to find the line. Chisholm added the extras to trail the Rats by 11 points.

With only minutes remaining, Warringah sealed their victory with a fifth try as number eight Sam Ward booted ahead and won the foot race to the line.

Warringah captain Luke Holmes accepts the Bayfield Cup
Photo: karenwatsonphotography.com.au

There was still enough time for Manly to score a consolation try with replacement Ryan Squires taking the honours under the posts. The final try saw the Marlins finish with a four-try bonus point but there was little cause for celebration as the loss was Manly’s second in three weeks and the 43-34 score line is the most points the Marlins have conceded this season.

Co-captain Greg Peterson said his side’s first half performance was costly “We only had about 20% possession in the first half. We didn’t use the ball and we made a lot of turnovers and I think that’s really what let us down,” he said.

“In the second half we got back to playing our usual structures and we were able to score four tries, but you can’t win like that without the consistency,” he said.

Warringah captain Luke Holmes is well aware that despite his side’s stunning victory the Rats will still need to improve to be a threat against Manly in the finals. “For finals it’s totally different. We will need to back our strengths like we did today but I think we know we need to lift to another level if we want to go all the way.” he said.

Warringah 43 ( Michael Adams 2, Harry Jones, Sam Ward, Brad Dixon tries; Hamish Angus 3 cons, 4 pens) defeated Manly 34 (Greg Peterson, Ryan Squires, Harry Bergelin, Shaun Treweek tries; Dane Chisholm 4 cons, 2 pens)