Marlins' Superior Fitness Key To Clobbering Campbelltown

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday February 26, 2008

By TIM KEEBLE

A COMMITTED Shellharbour Marlins carved up Jim Beam Cup newcomers Campbelltown 52-6 in Saturday's trial at Ron Costello Oval.

After getting the jump on the visitors with an impressive opening quarter performance, the Marlins briefly dropped off in the second quarter before dominating after half-time.

Marlins coach Dave Walsh praised his side's efforts and believes the signs are promising for a good season.

"It was only a trial so we're certainly not getting carried away with the result, but we've got some new players this year and they looked great, so it's a good way to start and we want to build our confidence and momentum as we head into the season.

"We played really well, right across the park. Our new halves gave us good direction and we got good service from dummy-half.

"Our centres were outstanding, the defence was good and the talk was great all game."

Both teams ran full squads, regularly rotating their interchange benches.

"It was Campbelltown's first game and we were definitely fitter than them. Our trainer Craig Simon has done a great job with the boys and got them in good shape.

"Their coach used a lot of players and we ended up using 21, so we're still working on our combinations and guys are getting to know each other's games," Walsh said.

Shellharbour host last year's minor premiers Cabramatta in a trial this Saturday.

The Marlins kick off their 2008 Jim Beam Cup campaign a week after Easter.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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