Pathways Wrap: 02/02/25

The Sea Eagles were defeated 28-10 by the New Zealand Warriors in the opening round of the Harold Matthews Cup.

Despite being level on the scoreboard at half time, the Warriors dominated the second half, running in four tries to one.

The Sea Eagles opened the scoring in the 7th minute, when centre Oscar Crotty collected a deft kick from five-eighth Kobe Morris, with Callum Miskell adding the extras.

Manly’s right edge was short on numbers when second row Bishop Neal powered his way to the line for the Warriors’ first try in the 22nd minute. Halfback Ashton Ulaula-Ieremia converted from the sideline to level the score at 6-all.

The home side had a handful of scoring opportunities immediately after the break but were constantly denied.  Crotty almost bagged his second, only for the ball to be dislodged over the line.

The momentum rapidly shifted in the Warriors' favour with back to back tries in a four minute period.

The first to Ulaula-Ieremia before replacement forward Amasio Tiatia crashed over to put the visitors up 18-6.

Crotty was again heavily involved in the next scoring play, providing a magic ball to winger Tom Longland who scored in the northeastern corner to get his team just eight points adrift.

The Warriors extended their lead to 24-10 with just under 10 minutes remaining when Ulaula-Ieremia scored his second try of the match and added the extras.

They added another try in the dying minutes with Soane Ma'as forcing his way over to make it 28-10 at full time.

Certainly, some encouraging signs from the Sea Eagles in their first hit-out of the new season.  Next up is another home game at 4 Pines Park on Saturday 8th February against the Central Coast Roosters.

The Sea Eagles SG Ball team opened it's new season with a 28-14 win over the Warriors.

It took all of five minutes for Onitoni Large to score his first points for his new club after making the shift from Wests Tigers. 

The talented five-eighth showed a dazzling burst of speed to split the defence from close range, giving his team an early 6-0 lead.

Captain Campbell Munn then forced his way over in front of the Lyons-Menzies Stand to put the home side ahead by 10 points after as many minutes.

A couple of barnstorming carries off the back fence from prop Simione Laiafi kept the crowd entertained, and his team on the front foot, before Beau Alexander created Manly's third try.

The nippy No. 7 split the defence with speed and footwork from about 35 metres out before supplying a neat ball for centre Brendan Couzens to finish.

Centre Hiraka Waitai-Haenga got the Warriors on the scoreboard six minutes out from the half time to make it 16-4.

The visitors made it back-to-back tries in the northeastern corner when fullback Meihana Pauling caried three defenders over the line, to have them down 16-10 at the break.

The home side dominated possession and field position when play resumed after a longer than normal interval.

Hooker Zaidas Muagututia was consistently threatening around ruck while Large owned the right edge and looked dangerous with every touch.

The Warriors, however, scored first points of the second half when winger Compton Purcell crossed in the southeastern corner to make it 16-14.

Large looked to be on his way to a double but was held up over the line before Munn crossed for his second try to restore an 8-point advantage.  The skipper, who was heavily involved throughout the match, pounced on a neat in-goal grubber to make it 22-14.

Large was again heavily involved a few minutes later, landing a pinpoint crossed field kick for winger Ben Askew, who converted his own try from wide out to ice a 28-14 victory.

Next up the Sea Eagles face the Illawarra Steelers, again at 4 Pines Park, on Saturday 8th February.