Marlins make magic

The two top teams from last season were Keen to establish dominion early in the season. PJFRFC Marlins made an excellent start off the pitch, warming up and familiarizing themselves with the downhill pitch with gales blowing uphill. The Marlins lost the toss and played into the wind. Marlins established a solid scrum from the start with Tom White, Joe Sheridan and Perry Clark bossing up front. Thus were able to play with quick ball off the scrum, and utilize the width of the pitch, aided by strong straight lines of running in mid-field by Jamie Velderman and Miles Whicher. The outside centre chase aka "Chizzy Rascal" made good use of this possession. Marlins first score came from a scrum, and quick ball out wide for "Chizzy Rascal" to score his first try, and determined to add to the score, did well to convert against the wind. Merton came back quickly through some excellent open play, and through a sequence of rucks and good ball retention, aided by poor defensive tackling by PJFRFC, and were rewarded with a try, though not converted. Marlins kept their cool and did well to absorb the pressure over the next 15 minutes, as they were forced to play deep in their own half, due to poor discipline and some decisive kicking by Merton, some excellent tackling by Dan Wright and Miles Whicher aided by the very able captain Paddy, kept Merton at bay. PJFRFC had to make do with the little possession coming their way, from counter rucking and the forwards were relieved to see one such opportunity pounced on by the marauding Mawer who found pace in his youthful constitution, to score his opening try of the season. With the conversion PJFRFC led 14-5. Merton showed their character again, and came back quickly through their forwards to make it 2 tries a piece (14-10). PJFRFC dug deep to come back before half time, again working from solid forward play with some excellent ball carrying by number 8 Sammy, Jules and Paddy, again Marlins stuck to the game plan and moved the ball wide to score again through Chizzy Rascal. Marlins did well to survive the last 10 minutes of the first half, again defending deep in their half, against all the odds, through some jaw jerking tackles by Dan Wright, Jamie Velderman , Del Boy and Miles Whicher, with the team giving a collective sigh of relief at the whistle.

PJFRFC Marlins made excellent use of the wind in the second half, and played much of their rugby in the opponents half. Fly half Miles Whicher did well to get the forwards involved, aiding good linking between backs and forwards. This pressure paid off, and Marlins made hard yards in the middle in order to unleash their back line, time and time again, culminating in Chizzy Rascal's Hat-trick. Merton were not about to give up and made some substitutions in mid-field, though the comms among the Marlins mid-field with fierce tackling by the back line kept Merton at bay. Tom Parker stepped up to fill the boots of an injured Miles Whicher, and again made good use of the wind to play in the opponents half. Though a determined Merton kept ball in hand and set up a sequence of rucks and were about to unleash their fresh pair of legs, but were "pounced" on by Marlins own "black panther" who picked up spilled ball, and ran the length of the pitch to score his fourth. Marlins now looked in control of the game, though Merton were determined to finish on a high, and to this end punished PJFRFC infringements around the rucks and mauls, and it was only the concerted defensive tackling by all, prevented a score. Del Boy, Tony Mawer, Paddy, Dan, Jules and Tom White all made notable contributions. PJRFC again made good use of the prevailing conditions and unleashed new winger Jay Johnson, who did well to stop the ensuing counter attacks and thwart Merton. PJFRFC also had a fresh pair of legs to bring on in Sean Rickell, who added to the speed in the back line. Marlins kept up the pressure and scored from another set piece, utilizing pace out wide through Chizzy Rascal, and a testament to their handling skills if the back line. Merton faught to the end to have the last say, though some excellent counter rucking by PJRFC front row and back row, led to a steal, and was rewarded with a crowning seventh try, again out wide, after a wonderfully weighted pass from Jamie to "Chizzy Rascal" to complete the rout 48-10.

Marlins have a few testing fixtures in the coming weeks, though look to be forming a youthful side with depth, and brimming with confidence.