Manly Warringah Sea Eagles let slip an early first half lead to go down 22-16 to Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Pointsbet Stadium today in round 21 of the Jersey Flegg Cup.
The loss to the fourth-placed Sharks keeps the Sea Eagles four points out of the top five with five games remaining. Manly remain in ninth place with the top five teams contesting the finals.
The Sharks enjoyed plenty of early possession with the Sea Eagles forced to dig deep. Manly were rewarded for their resilience when five-eighth Latu Fainu delivered a well time short pass to send prop Connor Cromarty over next to the posts. Centre Charlie Thompson converted for a 6-0 lead after nine minutes.
Fainu then set up Manly's second try with a nice pass to send winger Cameron Brown over to score in corner. Thompson failed to convert for a 10-0 lead after 15 minutes.
The Sharks opened their account when Felix Faatili used his strength to crash over next to the posts in the 29th minute. Kristian Dixon converted for a 10-6 scoreline that remained that way to half-time.
Manly extended their lead to 16-6 when Thompson converted an 80 metre intercept try to Brown in the 46th minute.
Cronulla hit back four minutes later through a try to winger Te Wehi Waitere in the corner. Dixon converted from the sideline for a 16-12 scoreline.
Some poor defence on their line saw Cronulla lock Lachlan Crouch push his way past three defenders to score under the posts. Dixon converted to give Cronulla an 18-16 lead with 15 minutes remaining.
The Sharks were in again three minutes later when Dixon crossed out wide for a 22-16 lead.
The Sea Eagles were then denied a try next to the posts for an offside play with four minutes remaining that would have seen them draw level.
Sea Eagles team
1 Lehi Hopate, 5 Cameron Brown, 2 Charlie Thompson, 3 Koby Douglas, 22 Teapo Stoltman, 6 Latu Fainu, 7 Harradyn Wilson, 8 James Uesele, 24 Kobe Fulton, 17 Connor Cromarty, 11 Max Hayley, 12 Broden Konz, 13 Caleb Navale (c) interchange: 10 Kylan Mafoa, 14 Blake Metcalfe, 15 Iverson Mapu-Satiu, 16 Devante Mihinui, reserve 18 Ryan James.
