NDRL club Miriam Vale changed from Saturday night games to Sunday afternoon home games for this season and were greeted by very hot weather for their clash against Agnes Water in the main game.
Both teams have new players in their squad but it was the Marlins who got on top early and ran away with the match, winning 48-20.
Miriam Vale’s senior players Aaron Causton and Glenn Cox toiled away, trying to claw their way back into the match late in the second half with help from young winger Ben Sneddon who scored in the corner.
But the Marlins were too strong running up the middle of the Magpies defensive line, finding holes across the park with nine of their players scoring. Tim McIntosh kicked from six from nine to ensure the Marlins won the local derby.
In the earlier game, Avondale took on Gin Gin in a replay of the knock-out semi last year and the match was fiery from the get-go with players very competitive early on in the hot conditions.
Young winger Brandon Galea scored first for the Hawks followed by Duffy, then Aaron Kuskey taking the score to 16-4 at the break.
Halfway through the second half centre Matt Ross scored a brilliant run away try for the Tigers before play was halted due to injury. Shane McInnes, playing in his first match with his son Mason for this season, badly broke his leg. Following the stoppage the Hawks scored again, going on to win the match 26-16 in a hard fought slog.
Fixtures are at South Kolan next weekend.
