source: cabra website
BLUES HOOK THEMSELVES SOME MARLIN
The Cabramatta Two Blues turned in there most clinical performance of the season as they hooked themselves the prize scalp of the third place Shellharbour Marlins with a 36-20 victory. While the scoreline finished respectable with two late tries to the Marlins, the two-blues were never really challenged and had the game well within their grasp. The Blues led from the outset with two tries in the opening 10 minutes taking them to a 12-0 lead before the Marlins got on the scoreboard with an against the run of play 50m intercept try. The two Blues extended their lead to 18-6 shortly after before the Marlins crossed for a soft try 4 minutes out from half time to reduce the lead to 18-12.
Another halftime pep talk from caretaker coach Corey Ruttle saw the Blues pile on 18 unanswered points and put the game beyond doubt before the Marlins crossed for the final two tries late in the game to add some respectability to the scoreline. The win will narrow the gap between the top 5 teams and can largely be attributed to the return of halfback Luke Brannigan who signed with the Club midweek after spending most of the season with the Newtown Jets NSW Cup side. Brannigan, who was instrumental in the Blues winning run last season, turned in a brilliant first up performance scoring a try and laying on 4 others on his way to claiming the Players Player award.
"Brannigan was outstanding for us today, he plays direct at the line and creates a lot of opportunities for his outside men. He keeps the opposition guessing everytime he has the ball and he really guides the side around the paddock well," said Ruttle.
The player that benefited from Brannigans creativity the most was eventual Man of the Match Aaron Fluke who crossed for a hat-trick of tries and kicked 6 goals from 7 attempts. His 24 point haul ensuring the two-blues were victorious. Other players to impress were centre Louis Vaiotu and Replacement forward Albert Tuara.
"I don't think we had a bad player on the field. It's hard to single any particular player out because we played really well as the one unit, but Brannigan and Fluke deserve a mention, as does Louis Vaiotu who I believe will play NRL one day and Tuara who played 55 minutes straight for us when he came on," added Ruttle.
The victory was all the more special considering Captain and Combined Jim Beam Cup Representative side front rower Chris Yates withdrew from the side on gameday after a slight tinge in his hamstring following training. The loss of Yates up front and with leading tryscorer James Trotter still out with injury, it was feared the two blues could have been vulnerable.
The Two Blues head to Campbelltown Stadium on Sunday, July 6th at 3pm to take on the Campbelltown Eagles. Make sure you come along as the Two Blues hope to make it three wins in succession.
Tries - Aaron Fluke (3), Francis Vaiotu (2) & Luke Brannigan Goals - Aaron Fluke 6 from 7.
