Junior Reps: Finals Week 1 Wrap

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles turned in their finest performance of the season in the SG Ball Cup to advance through to the preliminary final.

The Sea Eagles dominated South Sydney to win 36-30 after leading 18-12 at half-time at HE Laybutt Field, Blacktown.

It was a great effort by first season coach Lachlan Croker and his team to end the undefeated run of minor premiers Souths.

Manly finished the regular season in fourth place with their only loss being to Souths at 4 Pines Park, a heavy 38-6 loss in Round 5.

The Sea Eagles got off to a dream start against Souths when they shifted the ball right for impressive centre Max Davies to score in the corner for a 6-0 lead after three minutes.

A weight of possession to Manly saw the Sea Eagles take a 12-0 lead after 10 minutes when prop Matthew Payne showed great strength to crash over next to the posts.

Manly dug deep to repel Souths on their line several times before the pressure told when winger Dwayne Lyons dived over out wide for a 12-6 scoreline after 19 minutes.

The Rabbtohs drew level after prop Maddax Fui barged over from a short pass to make it 12-all after 26 minutes.

Manly were rewarded for their hard work when winger Taj Thompson crossed in the corner after some fine work by gun five-eighth Onitoni Large for an 18-12 lead on half-time.

The Sea Eagles got off to a great start to the second half when talented half-back Beau Alexander dummied to find open space to send winger Henry Troy over for a 24-12 lead after 37 minutes.

Thirteen minutes later, Troy grabbed his second to give Manly a 30-12 lead after Alexander sent the winger over after two great offloads in heavy traffic.

Manly raced to a 36-12 when centre Andes Johansson offloaded from a scrum win to send Onitoni Large on his way to the line in the 57th minute.

The Rabbitohs then raced in three converted tries in six minutes to trail 36-30 with 50 seconds remaining but Manly held on for a very well-deserved victory.

The Sea Eagles now enjoy a week off before the preliminary final on Sunday, April 26, at a venue to be advised.

Harold Matthews Cup

A spirited Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have been knocked out of the Harold Matthews Cup following a gutsy effort at Leichhardt Oval.

The Sea Eagles suffered a 26-6 loss to the Sydney Roosters after trailing 14-0 at half-time after doing a mountain of defence in the first half.

Both teams finished the regular season with five wins from eight matches with the finals being the first time they met.

Manly full-back Carlito Vesely pulled off a great try saving tackle early on his opposite number to take him into touch.

A spilt bomb by Manly saw Roosters full-back Harper Boothroyd pounce to score for a 4-0 lead after six minutes.

The Roosters dominated possession for the next 15 minutes with Manly proving resilient in defence.

The pressure told though in the 22nd minute when centre Manamoui Toia dived over in the corner after a quick shift to the left for an 8-0 lead.

Hooker Caleb Zahra then caught some tired Sea Eagles’ defence napping when he scooted from dummy half to crash through three defenders to score for a 14-0 lead after 28 minutes.

Manly showed plenty of fight and spirit in the first half for a side that had limited attacking opportunities but looked dangerous on the edges when they did get the ball.

The Sea Eagles scored the try of the match when they shifted the ball far right before coming back to their left for centre Cooper Eveleigh to show great determination to get the ball down for a 14-6 scoreline after 40 minutes.

The Roosters extended their lead to 20-6 when prop Seu Fidow proved hard to stop out wide for some brave Manly defence under pressure .It came after Manly threw plenty in attack at the Roosters.

The win was sealed when second-rower Tai Skipps found some open space to score out wide for the 26-6 lead.

Manly Coach Tom Giles and his talented team deserve plenty of praise for not just a gutsy display in the finals but for a fine season overall.