22 Aug 2011

Marshall keeps eyes on the prize

5:57 am on 22 August 2011

The West Tigers superstar Benji Marshall remained too focused on the big prize to be distracted by becoming the National Rugby League club's greatest points scorer in Sunday's impressive 31-12 victory over Parramatta.

Marshall overhauled former captain Brett Hodgson's total of 786 points with a trademark 27th minute try, notching a personal tally of 14 points at the Sydney Football Stadium for a new total of 797.

But he let the record speak for itself, while coach Tim Sheens explained it would mean little to the Golden Boot winner if the sixth-placed Tigers' season didn't kick on after the five tries to two effort over their bogey side Parramatta.

Marshall's team-mate - and flatmate - Tim Moltzen says the milestone would be the furthest thing from the five-eighth's mind.

Marshall has overcome some major injury setbacks, including shoulder reconstruction's, and his goalkicking has at times threatened his ability to break records.

He kicked five from six on Sunday and Sheens says he's relishing that responsibility.

The Tigers, who notched a sixth straight win, can at least start aiming for the top four after joining the fourth-placed Warriors and fifth-placed North Queensland on 30 points and with games against cellar dwellers Gold Coast and Cronulla to come.

In-form centre Blake Ayshford bagged a double, the second embarrassing star Eels five-eighth Jarryd Hayne, who was shrugged off with ease as the match slipped away from Parramatta.

Parramatta are dead last after Gold Coast beat Canberra on Saturday night and their round 26 clash with the Titans, who are one point ahead, shapes as a wooden spoon "grand final".