Eastern suburbs deny Manly a record 14th straight win, get Shute Shield finals hopes back on track

EASTS handed Manly marlins their first loss of the season on Saturday at Woollahra Oval, keeping hopes of a finals berth alive.

Beasties break Manly’s win streak

EASTS handed Manly marlins their first loss of the season on Saturday at Woollahra Oval, keeping hopes of a finals berth alive.

Mathematically the Beasties are still a chance of making the top six.

But the ninth placed side has to rely on winning every game, and those ahead of them — Randwick, Parramatta and West Harbour — to lose if they are to make the finals in four rounds.

They sit two games out of the top six. But coach, Campbell Aitken said they would take confidence from being the only side to defeat Manly this year.”

Easts shocked the Manlu marlins on Saturday. Picture: Adam Ward. Source: Supplied.

Easts found their best form of the season against the first-placed side, despite being outscored by three tries to one.

A last-second field goal to fly half Sam Windsor snapped the Marlins’ 13-game winning streak and stopped a club record 14th win.

Sam Windsor was the sole try scorer for Easts as Warwick Percival converted the try and three penalties.

Easts will look to keep the run alive when they take on 11th-placed Gordon.

“We certainly won’t be lacking motivation, we owe them one,” said Aitken.

Last time the two teams met Easts lost a 22-21 heartbreaker at home.

“We should have won that game, but we were coming off four defeats and lacked confidence to close it out.”

Easts Rugby will look to roll against Gordon this weekend. Picture: Seiser

Aitken said his side would be looking to ramp up the offence and score bonus points, achieved when four or more tries are scored.

“We need to focus on our overall attack, and hold on to the ball a bit longer,” he said.

“We didn’t really create too many chances against Manly or Warringah. Starting this weekend it is realistic to expect bonus points against teams that are around us on the ladder.”

Injured Waratah Mitch Chapman could be in for serious minutes on the fiieldafter slowly increasing his load against Warringah and Manly.

Aitken said he would use the open side flanker for about 60 minutes if possible.