The celebrations were good for as long as they could last following a historic Sydney Shield inaugural victory for the newly formed Manly Leagues team.
In a proud moment for the Sea Eagles club, the Anthony Watmough coached Manly Leagues team recorded a 26-22 victory over Cabramatta at New Era Stadium last Saturday in their first ever Sydney Shield match.
The Sea Eagles ran in six tries to four with winger Lachlan Burt scoring a double in a match that was locked at 12-all at half-time.
The Sydney Shield is the NSWRL’s fourth tier men’s competition, feeding into the Ron Massey Cup for both emerging and senior players.
The new Sea Eagles team is supported by Manly Leagues, Manly Warringah Rugby League Football Club, Manly Warringah Junior Rugby League, and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
Watmough was naturally delighted for his players after seeing their hard pre-season work pay off.
“To keep turning up for one another was the most pleasing part,’’ Watmough said.
“We only had a handful of players leading up to the Christmas break, so to not really train as a team until just before our first trial match and the way they showed up and played tough footy for one another shows how far we have already come as a team.
“I told the boys to enjoy the win as it was a special feat.
"But come Monday after our team review, it's all about being better than last week and looking forward to our new challenge this Saturday."
Manly Leagues now take on Brothers at Parker Street Reserve, Penrith, on Saturday, March 23, at 4pm.
Brothers drew 24-all with Wentworthville Magpies at Penrith in round one. See the Manly Leagues team here
