THE Southern Cross University Marlins have taken a big confidence boost into this year’s finals series with a 43-33 victory against minor premiers Hastings Valley Vikings, during the final round of the Upper Mid North Coast Rugby Union’s season.

The win was the Marlins seventh straight and sees them finish second on the ladder heading into this month’s finals series which gets underway tomorrow.

The Marlins face the Vikings tomorrow afternoon in their major semi-final at Oxley Oval in Port Macquarie, with the winner to host this year’s grand final.

The top two sides in the competition traded blows throughout the match akin to a heavyweight title fight, as when one side scored the other would hit straight back with a try of their own.

The back-and-forth nature of the match provided plenty of points as both sides flexed their attacking muscles in a potential grand final preview.

The lead changed hands numerous times in the first half, with a Vikings try after a beautiful run out wide giving the visitors a 21-17 lead at half-time.

Marlins captain AJ Gilbert barged over the line to give his side a 22-21 lead, which set up the Marlins to pounce.

As they had on a number of occasions, the Marlins exposed the Vikings susceptibility in defence out wide scoring two quick tries to take the score to 36-21 which would ultimately prove to be a match winning lead.

Beating a perennial powerhouse like the Vikings was always a good win, as expressed by Marlins captain AJ Gilbert.

“It’s always good beating them, they’ve been the dominant team for a long time now and it gives the boys a bit of confidence going into finals,” he said.

Gilbert said it would be a different story playing them tomorrow with a grand final spot on the line.

“But we are under no illusions that next week will be easy, there was definitely a bit of cat and mouse from both teams yesterday in regards to tactics and selections,” he said,

“This weekend down at Oxley Oval to get into and host the grand final is going to be a completely different story.”

Coffs Harbour Snappers v Hastings Valley Vikings

First grade: Marlins 43 def. Vikings 33

Reserve grade: Vikings 20 def. Marlins 19

Under 16s: Vikings 29 def. Marlins 14

Under 14s: Marlins 20 def. Vikings 12

 

By Aiden BURGESS