Manly Warringah Sea Eagles suffered a disappointing 34-6 loss to South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium tonight in round three of the Telstra Premiership.
The Sea Eagles were off their game and fielded the same team that beat Parramatta 54-0 win last Sunday. For Souths, it was their first win of the season.
The Rabbitohs opened the scoring in the third minute when the ball was shifted left for winger Robert Jennings to dive over in the corner. Half-back Adam Doueihi failed to convert the try.
Souths went to a 10-0 lead after 13 minutes when Doueihi converted a length of the field try to full-back Alex Johnston after the full-back swooped on a grubber kick from half-back Daly Cherry-Evans.
A crossfield bomb on the last tackle saw Souths score their third try to winger Richard Kenner after the ball was spilt by Manly centre Brian Kelly for a 14-0 scoreline after 30 minutes. The score remained that way to half-time.
South Sydney extended their lead to 18-0 when Jennings crossed for his second try after a dop ball by Akuila Uate to give the Rabbitohs possession.
Manly got on the board when Jackson Hastings scored from dummy half in the 53rd minute. Cherry-Evans converted to leave the Sea Eagles trailing 18-6.
The Rabbitohs went to a 24-6 lead when Douehi converted a second try to Kenner after full-back Tom Trbojevic spilt the ball in defusing a bomb.
Jennings dived over for his third try before Douehi converted from the sideline for a 30-6 scoreline with 17 minutes remaining.
The Rabbitohs crossed again in the 78th minute through Hymel Hunt.
Manly tackle Canberra Raiders at Lottoland next Saturday, March 31, at 7.35pm.
