Sea Eagles record historic win in Tarsha Gale Cup
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles created history today with a thrilling 16-12 victory over the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Sports Stadium in the opening round of the NSWRL Tarsha Gale Cup.
There were scenes of jubilation amongst a few tears as the Sea Eagles produced a most passionate performance to snatch victory in their inaugural Tarsha Gale Cup women’s (U19s) match.
In a true team performance where every girl played their heart out, the Sea Eagles showed tremendous spirit and a never say die attitude to record a well-deserved victory under Coach Nik Wolfgramm.
Giant Manly prop Tafoa Asaua wrote her name into the club’s record books when she used her strength to barnstorm her way to score in the third minute. Winger Jordan Fenbow converted for a 6-0 lead.
An unmarked Fenbow missed an opportunity to score for Manly in the 10th minute when she knocked on 10 metres out from the line.
The Sea Eagles then showed some great commitment in defence when under extreme pressure on their line before full-back Chelsea Smyth cleaned up a grubber kick on the last tackle.
For a second straight set, the Sea Eagles again managed to keep the Tigers at bay with some great defence before a penalty on the last tackle 10 metres out saw Wests get a third repeat set.
The outstanding defence was rewarded when the Sea Eagles forced a mistake to get the ball back.
Unfortunately for the Sea Eagles, a dropped cross field kick from the Tigers saw Fenbow spill the ball as she rushed it for, only for second-rower Mia Taylor to swoop to race 15 metres to the corner to score in the 21st minute for a 6-4 scoreline. The score remained that way to half-time
After showing some more great defence to start the second half and stopping a try on the last tackle, the Sea Eagles were caught short on their left, allowing for Tigers winger Havana Simpson to score in the corner for an 8-6 lead after 35 minutes.
The Sea Eagle hit back when centre Taleenza Nelson showed her great pace to race 80 metres to score out wide in the 42nd minute for a 10-8 lead.
A drop ball from the re-start eventually saw Simpson score her second try in the corner in the 46th minute for a 12-10 lead to the Tigers.
The Sea Eagles then snatched a 16-12 lead when five-eighth Aaliyah Haumono took an intercept pass to race 50 metres to score a converted try under the posts as two of her team-mates laid on the ground injured with two minutes remaining.
Manly were then forced to dig deep when they allowed the ball to go out over the sideline from the re-start. The Wests Tigers spread the ball right inside the final seconds but, as they had done throughout the 60 minutes, the Sea Eagles showed true grit to hold on for their historic victory.
Following full-time, the Sea Eagles players and coaching staff embraced each other, knowing what this victory meant to a team that only came together over the last few months.
For these girls have now laid the foundation for a very bright and exciting future for women’s rugby league at the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
Sea Eagles 16 (Tafao Asaua 3', Taleenza Nelson 42', Aaliyah Haumono 57' tries, Jordan Fenbow 2 goals) d Wests Tigers 12 (Mia Taylor 21', Havana Simpson 35'
Havana Simpson 46). Half-time: Manly 6-4, Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Saturday, February 4, 2023.
Sea Eagles team
1 Chelsea Smyth, 2 Jordan Fenbow, 3 Taleenza Nelson, 4 Sophia Addington, 5 Luciana Coria-Bates, 6 Aaliyah Haumono, 15 Shahana Lasini-Rite, 8 Tafao Asaua, 9 Ellah Hughes, 10 Emma Louise Felise, 11 Tahlee Maroney, 12 Wanita Leatherby, 13 Ana-Sofima Seia Perez (c); interchange: 14 Alicia Weir, 16 Maraea Toia, 18 Cailen Mamea, 20 Lauren Beaton, reserve: 22 Oshiana Leota
