Match Report: NSW Cup Round 14 vs Souths

Trailing 14-12 at half-time, an early second half collapse saw South Sydney pull away before Manly produced another late comeback to go down 34-24.

Unfortunately for the Sea Eagles, it was their 11th straight loss with their sole win coming in round one.

The Sea Eagles got off to a brilliant start when second-rower Hugo Hart split the defence before finding Walsh to score for a 6-0 lead after three minutes.

The Rabbitohs hit back in the 12th minute through winger Jordi Mazzone after catching the Sea Eagles short out wide for a 6-4 scoreline.

South Sydney then bombed two scoring opportunities within five minutes through errors in a scrappy first 25 minutes.

Manly had a try disallowed in the 30th minute to winger Beau Newlands on a double movement call after a good shift to the right.

The Sea Eagles were not to be denied a minute later when Walsh dummied and sliced his way through the defence for a 12-4 lead.

Unfortunately for Manly, Souths scored from the restart after a driving tackle saw lock Jackson Shereb drop the ball for the Rabbitohs to quickly send half-back Jonah Glover over in the corner for a 12-8 scoreline after 33 minutes.

Souths then scored again on the stroke of half-time through a barnstorming run from forward Te Wehi Waitere for a 14-12 lead at the break.

Three minutes after half-time, Manly drew level when Hoy converted a penalty goal after a late hit on Walsh to make it 14-all.

Souths enjoyed some good fortune on the last tackle when Mazzone scored off his own grubber after the ball bounced off full-back Tex Hoy for a 20-14 lead with 24 minutes remaining.

A minute later, Mazzone was in for his third try for a 24-14 lead after a quick pass from dummy half on the last after Hoy stopped a try on the previous tackle.

Mazzone crossed for his fourth two minutes later when he pulled in a high pass to step past some tired defence for a 30-14 lead with 17 minutes remaining.

Some great footwork and speed from prop Franklin Pele saw him carry a few defenders over the line for a 34-14 lead after 67 minutes.

One of the biggest cheers of the second half came when Manly junior Freddie Benson-Sparkes made a charging run in his first game in NSW Cup.

A hard running prop, Benson-Sparkes collected the Best Forward award for Manly’s SG Ball team this season.

Manly then crossed for their third try when Newlands dived over in the corner with five minutes remaining for a 34-18 scoreline.

Hoy then finished off some fine play from Walsh when he crossed out wide to leave the home side trailing 34-24 with three minutes remaining.

The Sea Eagles have a bye next weekend.