Manly Warringah Sea Eagles recorded a 38-20 victory over South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium tonight in round nine of the Holden Cup.
It was a much performance from Wayne Lambkin’s team after a disappointing second half collapse in losing to Canberra last Friday night.
The victory was Manly’s fourth of the season and the second against the Rabbitohs this season.
Manly went into the game in 13th place with the Rabbitohs in 15th with just one win to their name.
South Sydney opened the scoring in the fourth minute when the ball was spread right for winger Tyrone Taukamo to score for a 4-0 lead.
Three minutes later, Sea Eagles five-eighth Tom Wright showed his pace to race the length of the field to score after picking up a grubber kick on his line for a 4-all scoreline.
The Sea Eagles took an 8-4 lead in the 20th minute through winger Alfred Smalley before centre Brad Parker dived over six minutes later for the team’s third try for a 12-4 lead. Winger Bilal Maarbani converted Parker’s try for a 14-4 lead.
Some clever vision from Wright saw him grab his second try in the 30th minute. Maarbani converted for a 20-4 lead.
A cheeky kick from hooker Manaese Fainu found the hands of Smalley to give the winger his second try to give Manly a 24-8 lead at half-time.
Second Half
Four minutes into the second half, Smalley dived over for his third try of the game for a 28-8 lead before Souths hit back three minutes later with a try under the posts to trail 28-14.
The Sea Eagles then grabbed a 32-14 lead when Maarbani scored in the 55th minute before the Rabbitohs struck again with a converted try for a 32-20 scoreline.
Hard working Manly second-rower Josh Martin then cleaned up a high ball to score a converted try under the posts for a 38-20 lead to the visitors.
Manly team
1 Luke Polselli
2 Bilal Maarbani
3 Brad Parker
4 Blake Andrews
5 Alfred Smalley
6 Tom Wright
7 Kurtis Preece
8 Jaiden Tarrant
9 Manase Fainu
10 John Tuivati
11 Haumole Olakau’atu
12 Josh Martin
13 Jesse Martin (C)
Interchange
15 Elia Faatui
16 Cade Cust
18 Cameron Davis
22 Kane McQuiggin
