An injury depleted Manly Leagues side soared to a 26-22 victory over Cabramatta today in a historic opening round Sydney Shield win at New Era Stadium, Cabramatta.
Coached by former two-time Sea Eagles premiership winning forward Anthony Watmough, the fourth-tier competition side showed true Manly spirit as they fought through adversities to claim their first two points.
It's Manly's first season in the Sydney Shield. The new team is supported by Manly Leagues, Manly Warringah Rugby League Football Club, Manly Warringah Junior Rugby League, and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
“I thought they were tough. Our commitment to each other and to the little things was really outstanding,'' Watmough said.
"The changes we didn’t plan for (three injuries) and some boys had to play extra minutes. We just kept turning up. It goes to show the hard work they put in during the pre-season."
With the scores locked at 12-all at half-time, the lead changed five times in the match.
“If the boys could score one under the posts that’d be good. If we kick them goals, the pressure comes off us a bit. That’s what we’ll work towards next week,” Watmough added.
Manly Leagues mounted most of the momentum in the match's opening stages and forced a drop-out in the fourth minute to put the home side on the back foot.
History was made in the eighth minute as the Sea Eagles scored their first ever try in the Sydney Shield through winger Lachlan Burt. Five-eighth Maxwell Marsters threw a phenomenal cut-out pass to find the winger in open space, sending him over untouched in the corner for an early four-point lead.
Cabramatta hit back five minutes later with a try through second-rower Michael Abdow who pushed past three defenders to score. Five-eighth Damian Nati converted to give his side a 6-4 lead.
The lead switched once again in the 18th minute as Burt grabbed his second try. The winger scooped up a loose ball after a contested crossfield kick bobbled towards the corner, sending him over untouched once again for an 8-6 scoreline.
The Sea Eagles were flying with their third try three minutes later through Burt. But it wasn’t Lachlan who was in for a hat-trick as his brother, Justin, crossed over for a try. Fullback Sam Kelly broke through the line with a strong run to set up Justin Burt in the left corner for a 12-6 lead.
Cabramatta bounced back with their second try in the 26th minute as prop Lachlan Mears-Crabbe crashed through the scrambling defence. Nati converted to level the scores at 12-all.
Manly Leagues picked up the second half in fine fashion with a try for Oskar Warner in the left corner in the 42nd minute. The winger scooped the ball up out of dummy half and caught the defenders off guard to score in the corner, taking the lead to 16-12.
Sea Eagles second-rower Ryan James fell excruciatingly short of a try, knocking the ball on as he attempted to ground the ball on the tryline in the 56th minute as the visitors pushed to secure their lead.
Cabramatta hooker Yehya Ayache got on the end of a bobbled kick and scored in the left corner just shy of the hour mark. Nati converted as the lead switched 18-16 in favour of the home side.
Manly captain Wiremu Tibbutt lifted his side’s momentum and re-gained the lead after just four minutes. The lock scooped the ball out of dummy half and burrowed under the defence to score next to the posts. Lachlan Burt converted for a 22-18 scoreline.
After several sets on their own line, the Sea Eagles hit back hard and replied with a try through fullback Sam Kelly with just over 10 minutes remaining. Marsters threw a perfectly timed pass to Lachlan Burt who raced down the sideline. With just the fullback to beat, Burt passed back infield to Kelly who raced away to score, extending the lead to 26-18.
Cabramatta centre James Khoo dived over in the right corner with just under a minute remaining for a final scoreline of 26-22.
Manly Leagues take on Brothers in Round two on Saturday March 23, at Parker Street Reserve at 4pm.
Manly Leagues 26 (Tries: L. Burt 8’, 18’, J. Burt 21’, Warner 42’, Tibbutt 62’, Kelly 69’. L. Burt 1/6 goals) def. Cabramatta 22 (Tries: Abdow 13’, Mears-Crabbe 26’, Ayache 58’, Khoo 79’. Nati 3/3 goals)
