What an afternoon has been of club rugby when we return to the Battle of the Beaches derby between Warringah v Manly at Pittwater Rugby Park right at the heart of North Narrabeen in Warriewood.
Warringah may have opened the scoreboard first but Manly has struck back with four tries going into half-time 7-26. Nothing much has happened when the game resumed in the 2nd half where Manly continued to extend their lead further in front. Although Warringah may have scored another TRY at last with a few mins left, but their isolated attacking play has held them accountable unfortunately in the end at home 14-38.
First of all, hats off to Zac Barnabas who has been outstanding on the openside Manly back row at 7 with his two TRY haul v Warringah. Love his talent with youth by his side as well as his physical application both in attack and defense that made Manly being too good for the majority.
If one bash brother isn’t enough, how about another one next to Zac on the blindside at No.6 for Manly named Hunter Ward. He too has turned Manly’s first half form around from their lost opening TRY to a big 1st half lead thanks to his attacking prowess through a mix of pace & power.
Surely they can both hopefully hang inside the Top 6 with the help of the returning Reece Hodge going into next Saturday’s regular season finale match v Eastwood.
And Ben Marr rounds it off at full-back for Warringah where he’s got a brilliant tall frame that allows him to do the kicking, passing & running on the pitch. Yes, it may have finally worked with his consolation TRY, but just not enough support sadly where they’ve been caught in between to help Ben & Warringah catch up on Manly.
