Manly sent out a massive statement of intent in the Sydney Rugby Union (SRU) Premiership Second Grade, routing Souths 57-21 in a ruthless display of attacking rugby at Forshaw Rugby Park.
The Marlins crossed the whitewash almost at will in the Colin Caird Division clash, completely overpowering their hosts to secure maximum bonus points and firmly establish their top-four credentials.
From the opening whistle, Manly’s forward pack set a punishing physical baseline, suffocating Souths at the breakdown and engineering clean, rapid platform ball for an expansive backline.
While the starting XV did the heavy lifting to turn the contest into a procession, Bermudian international fly-half Jamin Hodgkins watched on from the wire. The former Warwick Academy standout, who signed with the Shute Shield outfit ahead of the 2026 campaign to bolster their playmaking depths, was an unused substitute on the afternoon as the coaching staff chose not to risk altering a highly clinical offensive flow.
The sheer velocity of Manly’s transition play left Souths chasing shadows for the majority of the first half, as unforced errors in the damp conditions continually pinned the hosts deep inside their own territory.
Though Souths mounted a brief, spirited response mid-way through the second period to claim a scattering of consolation scores, Manly's tactical discipline in the final quarter shut down any hope of a sustained fightback.
The resounding victory provides a massive confidence boost for the Marlins as they look to turn high-scoring performances into definitive postseason momentum.
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