Manly hang on against
gallant Bunnies

Round 19
South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 v Manly Sea Eagles 26
at Telstra Stadium
Referees: Jarred Maxwell

Match Summary:
Manly have defeated a gllant South Sydney side 26-20 at Telstra Stadium this evening.

While the match never reached any great heights, Manly did enough to get out with the two points on offer but they were far from convincing in their effrt ot beat a determined and gallant South Sydney side.

The loss for Souths condemns them to the wooden spoon (as if there were any doubt) while Manly consolidate their place in the top eight. However, Manly are still a few lengths off the top four sides and will have to improve dramatically if they are to cuase more than a ripple in this years finals series.

Best for Manly were Michael Robertson, who bagged a hattrick while for Souths Nathan Merritt got a doubel and David Peachey had a good game from the back.

Scorers:
South Sydney Rabbitohs: 20
Tries: Luke MacDougall, Nathan Merritt(2), David Peachey
Goals: Ben Walker 2/4
Manly Sea Eagles: 26
Tries: Brett Stewart, Luke Williamson, Michael Robertson(3)
Goals: Matt Orford 3/5

By the Clock:


0 min: NEWS We are underway at Telstra Stadium!

8 min: TRY Manly Sea Eagles
Manly strike first through winger Michael Robertson. Conversion successful.
Sea Eagles 6-0

15 min: TRY South Sydney Rabbitohs
Souths hit back through wily veteran David Peachey. Conversion successful so we are all level.
6 all.

26 min: TRY South Sydney Rabbitohs
Souths have hit the front and Manly fans would be a little nervous right about now. Luke MacDougall was the try scorer this time. Conversion unsuccesful.
Rabbitohs 10-6

32 min: TRY Manly Sea Eagles
Robertson bags a double as we edge closer towards half time and the successful conversion from Orford gives Manly a two point lead.
Sea Eagles 12-10

36 min: TRY Manly Sea Eagles
Here we go again. Michael Robertson gets a hattrick and is having a great game. Conversion unsuccessful.
Sea Eagles 16-10

41 min: NEWS The second half is underway.

49 min: TRY Manly Sea Eagles
Brett Stewart breaks Michael Robertson's monopoly on tries, bagging one of his own. Conversion successful.
Sea Eagles 22-10

55 min: TRY South Sydney Rabbitohs
Souths hit back through Nathan Merritt but Ben Walker misses the conversion to leave the Bunnies eight points adrift. Still plenty of time on the clock though.
Sea Eagles 22-14

65 min: TRY Manly Sea Eagles
Souths have put the cue in the rack fifteen minutes early tonight. Luke Willamson has scored Manly's fifth try to seal a hard fought victory. Conversion unsuccessful.
Sea Eagles 26-14

69 min: TRY South Sydney Rabbitohs
Souths are in again through Nathan Merritt and with ten to go, they are a converted try behind Manly. Can they finally pull one from the fire or will they stumble at the final hurdle yet again?
Sea Eagles 26-20

76 min: NEWS time is running out for the Bunnies...

80 min: NEWS Full time. Souths fell just short of another victory and Manly will gladly take the two points in the run home to the finals but they have a lot of work to do before they can trouble any of the big guns.
-----------------------------------------
Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Michael Robertson
2 - Nathan Merritt
1 - Matt Orford
-----------------------------------------