THE South West Rocks Marlins finished in second spot on the Hastings League ladder this season, after beating Port Hy-Tec Sharks 42-4 in an eight-try demolition on Saturday.
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The win left coach Craig Smith’s side just one point behind minor premiers Kendall Blues.
Played in heavy conditions, the match was dominated by the forwards.
Marlins back-rower Tony Duncan had a stellar game, and was awarded the best-and-fairest honours - just ahead of Alex Rouse, who played his customary strong attacking game.
Mick Judd opened the scoring for the visitors in the fourth minute, with a strong run up the middle.
But the Sharks scored a neat try in the 20th minute to have the score 6-4 in the Marlins’ favour.
But that was the hosts’ final contribution to the scoreboard, with the Marlins pack steamrolling consistently through the centre.
With the Sharks on the back foot, Duncan crashed through in the 25th minute, and Judd converted to take the score to 12-4.
Three minutes later, cagey five-eighth Grant Coleman split the Sharks and the third try.
With the Marlins well in truly in command, prolific try scorer Rouse took the Marlins to a 22-4 lead at the half-time break.
After the re-start, the field conditions deteriorated with the visitors playing simple wet-style footy.
The forwards kept the ball tight in the ruck, and burly front rower Matt Knox proved a real handful for the Sharks.
The big prop stormed onto the ball in the 48th minute to score a barging try. The Sharks forwards started to tire, and Marlins hooker Paul Owens started to own the ruck.
He caught the Sharks napping and scooted through in the 51st minute to score the first of his two tries for the evening
Aiden Davey - shifted to fullback after regular starter Mick McPhillips pulled out - played a great custodial role, and scored after a great backline move in the heavy conditions.
But Owens wasn’t finished and caught the Sharks forwards napping again to score under the posts to give Judd an easy.
On Saturday, the Marlins will take on last year’s premiers, Comboyne Tigers, in the major semi-final at Lank Bain Oval, Wauchope – with a 7.30pm kick-off.
The winner will face the Kendall Blues in what should be an exciting semi-final series.
