Resilient Sea Eagles go down to Souths 30-12

A resilient Manly Warringah Sea Eagles were defeated 30-12 at Redfern Oval by the South Sydney Rabbitohs today in the Harold Matthews Cup.

A first-half sin-bin didnt' help Manly's cause with South Sydney running in three tries during this period.

The Sea Eagles got off to a great start when second-rower Samuel Vandermade crashed over next to the uprights following a drop ball from Souths. Hooker Jackson Cahill-Smith converted to give Manly an early 6-0 lead.

The next ten minutes were an arm wrestle between the two sides, with neither team giving up a good field position.

Souths winger Yasin Kuscu made a 50 metre break but was unable to beat Manly fullback Joshua Weightman. Sea Eagles winger Nelson Lau was then sent to the sin bin after not letting the Rabbitohs player up.

Off the back of the sin bin, the Rabbitohs scored their first try through five-eight Tylan Black Berryman who burrowed his way into the corner from acting dummy half to make the score 6-4 in the 17th minute.

The home side continued their momentum scoring in the corner through winger Charlie Mann In the 20th minute to give them an 8-4 lead.

The sin bin continued to trouble Manly as Souths lock Salih Saracoglu beat a couple of defenders to slam the ball down next to the posts. Halfback Matthew Humphries converted in the 25th minute to push the Bunnies' lead to eight for a 14-6 lead at half-time.

Manly had the majority of possession in the first 10 minutes of the second half in which they looked very dangerous. However, the Rabbitohs' defence stood tall and Manly couldn’t come away with any points.

Souths forward Lochlin Moses was the first to find the stripe in the second half after he picked up a loose ball and barged over next to the posts for a 20-6 lead.

Off the back of some gritty defence, the Bunnies scored in the 53rd minute through halfback Matthew Humphries. Humphries converted his own try to give his side a 26-6 lead.

Late in the second half, Manly scored their second try through hooker Jackson

Cahill-Smith who chanced his arm on the last tackle to dive over a couple of defenders for a 26-12 scoreline after Humphries converted his own try.

The home side capped off their dominant display by scoring on the hooter to win the match 30-12.

The Sea Eagles play Newcastle Knights in the final round at Kurri Kurri Sports Ground on Saturday, April 1. Kick-off 12pm.