Jamin Hodgkins played a pivotal role from the tee as Manly secured a hard-fought 45-40 victory over Gordon in a high-octane SRU Premiership 2nd Grade encounter.
Staged at the Glen Willow Mudgee Ground, the match proved to be a classic advertisement for the Colin Caird Division, with both sides trading scores in a relentless offensive display that kept the result in doubt until the final whistle.
In a game decided by fine margins, the accuracy of the goal-kickers proved decisive. Bermudian international Jamin Hodgkins was a calming presence for the Marlins, successfully connecting on four conversions to contribute eight vital points to the Manly total.
His ability to convert pressure into points ensured Manly stayed ahead of a resurgent Gordon side that refused to go away. The contest featured multiple lead changes, but Manly’s superior execution in the final quarter allowed them to clinch the narrow five-point win.
The victory carries significant weight for Manly as they look to solidify their postseason aspirations. The five points earned from the win move them into fifth place in the standings, bringing their season total to 21 points.
With the mid-season battle for top-four positioning intensifying, the Marlins find themselves within striking distance of the leaders, trailing the fourth-placed side by a narrow margin. For Gordon, the narrow defeat leaves them with two bonus points but a sense of missed opportunity as they look to climb away from the bottom half of the table.
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