SATURDAY saw the Medowie Marauders come off the back-end of a bye to face the Newcastle Griffins at Boyd Oval where they put the winged lions to the sword 24 to 0.

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The Marauders were refreshed and ready to rumble and from the kick-off the forwards put on a masterclass in tightly structured rugby.

Dan Collins and Sam Holbert had the piggies locking the pill up with subsequent phases and in the 5th minute dynamic flanker John Lundie crashed over the chalk after pinching a lineout ball moments earlier.

Captain Eric Tolhurst was accurate with the hoof and the score was 7 nil with the Medowie men looking sharp.

The remainder of the half was hard going for the Marauders with the Griffins muscling up and belting the Boyd Oval locals through the middle with their big boppas.

Medowie was able to sneak another meat pie in before the break and went into the sheds 12 to 0 after Tolhurst missed the kick.

In the second half fly-half Jessey Bridge worked over the tiring Griffins forwards with his tactical kicking that saw the game begin to open up.

It wasn’t long before the Marauders outside backs got in on the action with the human freight train Orisi Vosuqu busting through multiple defenders for a try in the corner.

The extras were added for a 17 to 0 scoreline and soon after when player-coach Tim Lancaster found a flying Jessey Bridge from the scrum base the game was all over 24 to 0.

Coach Lancaster was extremely happy with the forwards ability to gain metres and praised hooker Dan Collins for leading the charge.

“Best on the field today was big Dan Collins who was exceptional with his go forward, leadership and dominance at the set pieces,” said Lancaster.

“I thought the kicking game of Jessey Bridge was also crucial in maintaining pressure and territory.”

The Marauders face the Pokolbin Reds on Saturday at Boyd Oval in a possible precursor to the finals.

Kick-off at 3pm with full canteen and can bar facilities available.

By Mitch LEES