A gallant Manly Warringah Sea Eagles showed plenty of fighting spirit after a historic 20-18 loss to the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday.
Along with the Tarsha Gale Cup (U19 girls) and Sea Eagles Development Programs, the entry into the Lisa Fiaola Cup (U17s) is another step forward for Manly in creating a complete Sea Eagles female pathway with the intention to apply for a NRLW licence.
A drop ball in the third minute by Manly saw Wests Tigers forward Felila Fakalelu beat six defenders in a strong run to score in the corner. Five-eighth/captain Ella Ropata converted for a 6-0 lead.
The Tigers were in again when a short kick saw the ball bounce near Manly's line for centre Stephanie Goodworth to score out wide for a 10-0 lead after 11 minutes.
A dart from dummy half saw hooker Paige Attard score out wide off the back of a good run from winger Faith Masina. The try was converted for a 16-0 lead.
Manly five-eighth Khyliah Gray then put skillful second-rower Lacey Cross through a hole before she pushed off a defender to score behind the posts in the 29th minute on the back of a strong run by prop Mequynne Logan. Taya Floyd converted to leave the Sea Eagles trailing 16-6.
Cross is the daughter of former Manly forward Matt Cross.
A wobbly crossfield kick from Gray saw centre Tyra Dymock catch the ball to send second-rower Bronte Edwards over next to the posts. Full-back Taylor Nickson converted to leave Manly trailing 16-12 after 34 minutes. Dymock is the daughter of Manly NRL Assistant Coach Jim Dymock.
An incisive run and floating pass from Gray saw the ball find Logan, who from a standing start, used her strength and muscle to power her way over the line in a 20m run to score under the posts. Nickson converted to give Manly an 18-16 lead after 49 minutes.
Six minutes later, Fakalelu spun and crashed her way through three defenders to score next to the posts for the 20-18 lead. The Sea Eagles tried valiantly to snatch the lead back but it wasn't to be in the end.
Manly Coach Lizzie Tavita was very proud of her team's determination to fight back so hard.
“I was really proud of the girls’ effort today and how they played. We really started to find our feet as the game progressed,'' Tavita said.
"With Khyliah and Lacey being local girls on the Northern Beaches, it's great to see our Pathways program opening up for these talented young players.
“The opportunity to be the first U17s girls to represent Manly is something special and a positive step in growing the game on the Northern Beaches."
The Sea Eagles play the Parramatta Eels in Round 2 of the Lisa Fiaola Cup on Saturday March 18, at 4 Pines Park. Kick-off 10am.
By Hanna Clare
