The WA Reds took on the 6th placed Erina Eagles and despite a slow start, ended their winning drought 32-30 in round 11 of the Jim Beam Cup.
In a game which may shape the second half of the season the WA Reds took on the 6th placed Erina Eagles and despite a slow start, ended their winning drought 32-30.
In a do or die approach in the second half the Reds came home stronger and fitter to eventually run in a try to level the game in the 79th minute which was converted by Mick Kestel to take the lead for the first time
The effort from the Reds in the second half earned them their fourth win for the season.
Reds Captain Shayne McMenemy was easily the best afield figuring in most of the scoring plays for the night and led by his skills and experience.
The Shellharbour Marlins may need to change their name to the giant killers after nibbling their way to an impressive 26-18 win over the Sydney Bulls in the Jim Beam Cup.
Recovering from an 18-16 deficit at half-time, the most improved team in the competition in 2008, went onto score another three tries while doing what very few teams have been able to do.
They held the Bulls scoreless in the final forty minutes of play with their best defensive effort of the year.
"They kept coming all day but our defence was rock solid, " Marlins coach David Walsh told the Illawarra Mercury.
"We had blokes eager to get on the loose balls, diving in front of two or three blokes, putting their heads where the other blokes (the Bulls) weren't prepared to do it. It just came down to a bit more guts and determination out of our boys."
Considering the 2006 champions had been averaging over 40-points a game, the Marlins would not be out of step labeling this their best win of the season so far.
All the Marlins tries came from Jeffrey Zwolsman, Jardine Bobongie, Ian Catania, Kieran Stewart and bench forward Craig Paku. Blake Dureau kicked 8 goals to score 16 individual points.
Shellharbour now move into second spot on the Jim Beam Cup competition table after taking out their 9th win in a row, which is more then double their winning total from last year.
Campbelltown grabbed win number three for the year after scraping home against Wentworthville by two-points on the road. Windsor put a stop sign in front of Cabramatta while Belrose pipped unlucky Southern Sydney at Lionel Watts Reserve.
Mounties easily upstaged Chester Hill by 20-points at Terry Lamb Reserve.
Jim Beam Cup Results (Round 11)
Shellharbour 26 d Sydney Bulls 18
Belrose 20 Southern Sydney 18
Windsor 36 d Cabramatta 28
Campbelltown 26 Wentworthville 24
Mounties 34 d Chester Hill 14
