::::: RATS AND SHUTE SHIELD THE BIG WINNERS ::::: The RATS were not the only winners yesterday with the Magners Shute Shield also coming up trumps as the BAYFIELD CUP clash between Northern Beaches rivals RATS and Marlins delivered one of the best and most entertaining rugby spectacles this season....if not in years. Under clear blue winter skies, the crowd of 4255 rugby fans witnessed an absolutely thrilling 80 minute display between two of the top sides in the competition this season. Final scores saw the RATS claim the win 43-34. For the RATS, it was a victory a long time coming - 5 years to be exact, since the BAYFIELD CUP resided at RAT PARK. To win it back in the Clubs 50th year also has significant meaning to the RATS, who at the beginning of 2014 set out a number of goals to commemorate the Clubs anniversary. This was one of them. But the match delivered so much more for grassroots rugby and the Magners Shute Shield competition in general. For this year heading into the final rounds of the Magners Shute Shield, we have a real competition on our hands. And for 11 RATS in particular, Saturdays match was a chance to put their talents on show in the lead up to the inaugural NRC. With many questioning whether the RATS had peaked too early after their shock loss to Souths last week, they answered their critics with a highly charged, expansive brand of rugby that had table toppers Manly struggling to contain them. It was a renewed side with an energy and confidence not seen in the RATS for some weeks. And the crowd loved every minute of it. Heading into the sheds at half time, the RATS led the Marlins 16-6 but many felt Manly would come out strongly in the second, particularly with the injection of the big unit Ed Gower into their forward pack. Despite a quick try by RATS fleet-footed centre MICHAEL ADAMS a minute into the second half, the Marlins seemed to lift and with ADAMS sin binned and the RATS down a man, the Marlins exploited the opportunity with two quick tries to get them back in the match. But the RATS were not done. Some brilliant set pieces and the incredibly quick reflexes of young gun HARRY JONES to score off an intercept and the hardy SAM WARD to score off a charge down ultimately set the RATS up for a well deserved victory. The ball work among the team in general however was superb as they opened up the Manly lines and kept them off-balance. Manlys dominance in the Magners Shute Shield is without question impressive. They are the side that has set the benchmark all season and the calibre of their play each week has been stellar. A quick look at their stats and you cant help but be awed. Up until Saturdays clash the Marlins won 9 matches where they scored in excess of 40 points. Only one team - Uni in Round 4 - managed to keep a Marlin win to just 14 points. Until yesterday Manly suffered only one loss - to Easts a fortnight ago and only by a single point scored on the bell, to deliver the Beasties a 19-18 victory that had many scratching their heads. The last time the RATS met the Marlins was the Round 6 clash for the Mounties Cup, with the Marlins taking that match 39-16. The loss yesterday is only their second this season. For the RATS it was a chance to stake their claim on their finals berth and maintain a fairly strong win ratio at home. With two rounds to go, the run to the Finals is shaping up to be a cracker. Join the RATS for the ride. Next week the RATS head to Coogee to face Randwick then its back at RAT PARK for the last round before finals, the Round 18 clash against Eastwood. Dont miss it. Couldnt get to RAT PARK yesterday or forgot to press record on the BluRay and missed one of the greatest matches weve seen in Club Rugby? WATCH THE FULL MATCH ON ABC iVIEW HERE iview.abc.net.au/programs/rugby-union-shute-shield/SP1322H016S00 For the night owls among you who just cant get enough of the action and need to kill some time and havent figured out the internet yet, a full replay will be screened on ABC TV, 3.30am Wednesday morning. Congratulations RATS on a fantastic win and THANK YOU to all the fans who made it to RAT PARK to cheer on the boys and be a part of their BAYFIELD CUP victory. CARN THE RATS - CELEBRATING 50 YEARS IN 2014!!!! (For all the latest RATS news, fixtures and results visit us online at our website warringahrugby.au, Twitter @warringahrugby or our NEW Instagram page warringahrats)
Posted on: Sun, 13 Jul 2014 04:32:37 +0000
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