Salvation for Souths with Good Friday win
46 mins ago | Robert Crosby
Fortress Brookvale remains a tough battleground for the Cronulla Sharks as they recorded their 35th loss at the venue in 41 appearances, going down to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 22-12.
The surface held up remarkably well considering over 100mm of rain fell in the previous 24 hours. However, it was enough to keep the crowd away with only 5,122 in attendance.
The Sea Eagles went a tick under 10 minutes without getting hands on the Steeden early in the match, which allowed the visiting Sharks to capitalise with points. Just three minutes had elapsed before the away side racked their first points to lead 6-0, as Luke Lewis to crossed the white line courtesy of a James Maloney cross-field kick.
Penalty goals have been a favourite across the weekend with wet weather limiting attacking football. James Maloney followed the trend to take the Sharks out to an 8-0 lead at the 7th minute.
Former Wests Tigers enforcer Martin Taupau will likely enjoy a break on the sideline after he was placed on report at the 33rd minute for making heavy contact with a swinging arm on Sharks five-eighth Jack Bird, who did not to return in the second half after failing a concussion test.
LeagueUnlimited.com's man of the match Matt Parcell started the Sea Eagles' tally as he darted under the posts, a try gifted to him by a Luke Lewis mistake. The Sharks held a slim 2 point lead at the half time break, ahead 8-6.
Head coach Trent Barrett went into the match starring down at a possible 0-3 strike rate. Luckily for Barrett, the Sea Eagles lifted in the second half to claim a further three tries, enough to hold off the Sharks.
The first of the second half points came as the Prince of Brookvale himself, Brett Stewart, sailed through the defensive line via a Tom Trbojevic grubber kick. After a review from the Bunker, Manly took the lead for the first time, 12-8 after 48 minutes.
Jake Trbojevic one-upped his brother minutes later as he bashed through the would-be defenders thanks to Feleti Mateo short pass. Manly's lead extended to 10 points, 18-8, at the 57th minute.
The Sharks did break the flow of points with their own four-pointer in the 65th minute as Valentine Holmes finished a well executed play with a simple overlap created by Chad Townsend on the western side of Brookvale Oval. Cronulla went into the final 15 minutes hopeful of a resurgence, trailing the Sea Eagles 18-12.
Tom Trobjevic hit back with his own points for the hosts at the 72nd minute as he bolted over 50 metres to claim the final try of the game, despite Ben Barba hanging off him. His powerful run secured his side victory and dashed any late fightback hopes from the Sharks.
Next week it's off to Allianz Stadium in Moore Park for the Sea Eagles as they are hosted by the Sydney Roosters in Saturday night football. Meanwhile the Sharks head home to clash with Melbourne on Monday Night in the Shire.
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