by Paul Cook - (Click here: Match Highlights) ********************** THE WARM-UP: ********************** With only one loss from their fourteen matches prior to kick-off, Manly were facing their final four games of the regular season with a view to staying on top of the pile ahead of the finals series. But with only a point separating them and Eastwood in second, bonus points were also on the agenda. Norths meanwhile, were one of several teams hovering in and around the crucial top six spots. They came into this one with a fair degree of confidence after the performance they put in against the Marlins five weeks ago in defeat, but with injuries and absences in the front row forcing an unplanned reshuffle. ********************** THE BREAKDOWN: ********************** It was the Shoremen who started the brighter, boasting plenty of possession in the opening quarter of an hour but with precious little go forward in the process, as Manly set a well organised defensive line. Having soaked