The Newcastle City Blues went down by 28-points to the Nelson Bay Marlins on Saturday at Burwell Oval to record their third straight loss in a disappointing mid-season form slump.
The Blues went in with a number of players under an injury cloud and were expecting another bruising hit-out with their bayside rivals. The Blues certainly got that and much more as a highly motivated and determined Marlins side led the Blues to the ball time and time again.
Although not the strongest Blues line-up for the year it was the Blues lack of hardness at the ball and the desire to work hard, man-up and put in the one percenters which let the team down.
Very few highlights for the day's proceedings with only Justin Kelly's work in the ruck and Nathan Stewart's grunt in the packs worthy of a mention.
The Blues must now re-focus and work hard on the training track during the week and look towards putting in a hard, disciplined and workmanlike performance against the improving Gosford Tigers outfit.
In the First Division match the Blues continued their great 2006 season with a superb 58-point win.
It was the Giggsy show again with the pocket-rocket slotting through six majors to take out the coveted players' player award.
Ben Cornwall played a dominant game in the ruck and as usual Wheels slayed them all over the park. Joe Fleuchter was again dangerous in his second game back along with Leaping Al Boland and Owen Dawes.
A big day planned for the Blues this coming Saturday down at No.1 with some quality games expected against Gosford in all three grades to be followed up with the Annual Newcastle City Cup Race Night.
Last Modified on 02/11/2006 14:35