Bunnies bury their Good Friday demons with a gutsy display over Manly

v BYE

South Sydney buried their Good Friday demons by grinding out a tough-as-nails 16-12 victory over the Manly Sea Eagles in front of 9603 at Brookvale Oval tonight.

Souths hooker Cameron McInnes had a game to remember scoring a double as Souths exploded out of the blocks to lead 16-0 after as many minutes. The game featured plenty of big hits with Manly enforcer Martin Taupau and South Sydney hardman Sam Burgess having an entertaining running battle, with Taupau putting on a great shot on the giant Englishman in the 66th minute forcing an error.

Manly had plenty of chances to grab the win and despite the loss, may have unearthed an answer to their halves dilemma without Daly Cherry-Evans with Apisau Koroisau proving a constant danger to the South Sydney defence.

After their humiliating 42-12 defeat to Canterbury on Good Friday, Souths were expected to come out firing and fire they did, with last week's loss clearly stinging them. Cameron McInnes started proceedings when he snuck over from dummy half to give the Bunnies an early 6-0 lead. 5 minutes later the hooker had a double when he took off from dummy half and manages to muscle his way over to make it 10-0.

A repeat set after a great kick from Souths half Luke Keary enabled the Rabbitohs great field position and five-eighth Cody Walker threw a great dummy close to the line and all of the sudden it was the reverse of Good Friday with Souths in command.

Then the match turned when Souths prop George Burgess allowed the ball to bounce off the kick off which put them on the back foot. A poor pass from the ensuing play the ball saw winger Aaron Gray tackled in goal, giving Manly a chance to get back in the match.

This gave Manly the momentum they needed, when former Souths premiership winner Dylan Walker scored in the 27th minute to put the Sea Eagles back in it. Replays showed how much Walker, who was moved on by Souths in the pre-season after a much publisiced overdose on prescription drugs, enjoyed the try with a smile beaming from his face after he crossed the chalk.

Manly had a tonne of possession in the back end of the first half but couldn't convert them to points with Souths leading 16-6 at the break.
In the second half it was Manly who came out firing, looking much sharper in attack than in the first stanza. It was always going to be tough for the Sea Eagles without star play maker Daly Cherry-Evans, however it was his replacement and former Souths premiership number 9, Apisai Koroisau who did the damage when he burst through the Souths defensive line, however he couldn't find a flying Brett Stewart looming up on his inside in a missed opportunity for the Eagles.

Then in the 59th minute, that man Koroisau ran a straight and direct line, managing to bust through a few would be tacklers and score under the posts. Jamie Lyon made no mistake and it was game on as the Sea Eagles narrowed the gap to 4 points.

Nate Myles then looked a big chance of scoring until Souths skipper Greg Inglis managed to stop Myles from getting the ball down by showing great strength to hold him up over the line. The fullback's effort lifted the side and Souths managed to repel the Sea Eagles attack time and time again despite Manly having 58% of possession for the match in a tremendous defensive display.

South Sydney now face arch rivals the Roosters at ANZ Stadium next Friday night, where they will hope to repeat their impressive Round 1 performance, where they thrashed their bitter rivals from Bondi 42-10. Manly now travel across the Tasman where they face the unpredictable New Zealand Warriors outfit at Mount Smart Stadium.