No Dell, But Marlins Show Winning Run Was No Fluke

Illawarra Mercury

Monday June 9, 2008

By TIM KEEBLE

THE Shellharbour Marlins proved there is life after Wendell with yesterday's 42-16 demolition of Wentworthville at Ron Costello Oval.

Shellharbour's win was their eighth straight and further entrenched the second-year club in the Jim Beam Cup top four.

Wendell Sailor played a role in three of those victories before last Friday's call-up by St George Illawarra.

The 34-year-old fractured his cheekbone in his well documented NRL comeback and is out for a month.

Whether he returns to the Dragons via Shellharbour again remains to be seen, but the Marlins still know how to win without Sailor.

After taking an early 6-0 lead, the home side gradually wore down the Magpies to extend the margin to 18-6 at half-time.

That was soon 30-6 before Wenty staged a revival to prune the margin to 30-16. But that was as close as the visitors got.

Starring with a hat-trick of tries for Harbour was promising full-back Ian Catania.

Marlins coach Dave Walsh believes the 21-year-old wouldn't be out of place in a St George Illawarra jersey.

"He's been fantastic all year and was outstanding again today," Walsh said.

"I know there was rep selectors here today and I hope they had a really good look at him.

"It's no fluke he got three tries because he does good things for us week in, week out. There's a number of blokes who are playing really well every week, and he's certainly one of them.

"He's a real talent and I think he could definitely have a future with the Dragons."

While they weren't able to emulate the previous week's near-perfect display (38/41 completed sets) against Windsor, Shellharbour were still a class above the Magpies.

Halfback Blake Dureau showed the importance of a good goal kicker, converting all seven of his team's tries.

The Marlins will be brimming with confidence for their showdown with competition leaders Sydney Bulls at home on Sunday.

"We played pretty well. Wenty completed something like 14 out of 15 in the second half and we still put them away," Walsh said.

"The boys coming back from the Dragons have been fantastic for us. Joe's (Falemaka) been outstanding for the last eight weeks, Benny Ellis is always competitive, Matty Prior was great today and Jardine was as well. They're leading us around the park and our blokes are lifting because of them.

"We've got some skill right across the park, there's good harmony and chemistry in the squad and the boys just keep concentrating on the next job in front of them.

"There's certainly a good feeling in the club, but we're not getting carried away because it's only the halfway mark."

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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