LANGER CUP: Five things learnt from St Mary’s vs Marsden

THE key takeways for St Mary’s College following their 24-18 defeat by Marsden SHS in the Langer Cup opener.

Marcus Waters (left) and Blake Cesari of St Mary’s College tackle Eli Tuli of Marsden. Photo: Nev Madsen

RUGBY LEAGUE: St Mary's College went close, but were ultimately held at bay by a strong Marsden SHS in the opening round of the Langer Cup.

These are the five things we learnt from the 24-18 defeat.

1. QUINLAN'S HOT FORM

He mightn't get the wraps that some others do, but Quinlan backed up a strong qualifier with another quality outing against Marsden.

I was impressed with his workload in defence and his willingness to take some of the tough hit-outs coming out of their own end.

2. MARSDEN TESTED THE MIDDLE

The sheer size of Marsden SHS proved a challenge for St Mary's to contain at times, as the visitors were often able to gain serious metreage when coming out of their own end.

It made it tough for St Mary's to build pressure and put their opponents under fatigue, and is one area they'll be looking to improve on for next week.

3. SHORT GAME PAID DIVIDENDS

Halves Brayden Paix and Blake Moore were again on-song with their short kicking game, with both setting up tries from their boots.

It's something that has been a strong point of their two games so fat this season, and if they can continue to draw sides up off the goal line, they will keep getting positive outcomes.

Blake Moore. Photo: Nev Madsen

 

4. GOAL LINE DEFENCE HAD MIXED RESULTS

There were some brilliant goal line stands from St Mary's, who did a good job to keep the Marsden forwards at bay.

On other occasions they were tested, with two tries conceded from dummy-half and another from a regulation hit-up from 10 metres out.

There's no doubt fatigue played a role, but is an area that needs to be worked on.

5. LET THE BALL FLOW

How good did St Mary's look when they let the ball flow through the hands.

The side is blessed with some quality talent in the outside backs and at fullback, and they displayed that during patches against Marsden.

Here's hope we see plenty more of it in the coming weeks.

Originally published as LANGER CUP: Five things learnt from St Mary’s vs Marsden