MONARO scored a comfortable win over South Coast to start its Brumbies Provincial Tournament campaign, scoring a 46-5 win at Conolly Rugby Complex on Sunday.
However the Marlins put up a much better effort in their second game of the representative weekend.
Not only did they find a way over the tryline, when Tumut winger Coen Potter crossed, but had most of the ball in the second half.
While they couldn't find more in roads into the Monaro defensive line, held up on three difficult occasions, they spent most of the half down a man.
Griffith’s Vaea Mateo was yellow carded from a dangerous tackle and just when he was about to come back onto the field Leeton halfback Stuart Dyer was given his marching orders for a professional foul.
Monaro coach Dave Anable thought the team lost its way after he made a number of personnel changes during the game, but is expecting an improved performance against Southern Inland.
“It’s something to work on,” Anable said.
“We definitely need a bit of improvement, but defence was pretty pleasing.
“We need to work harder in attack, but we’ll get there.”
Leeton also picked up an injury concern from the game, with Sam Allen coming off with an ankle injury in the second half.
MONARO 46 (D Akkersdyk 2, G Price, B Clements, M Webber, A Lachlan, A Kara tries; D Falk 3 cons, pen, J Roarty con) d SOUTH COAST 5 (C Potter try)
