Manly claim extra-time shootout over Warriors

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Warriors v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

The Sea Eagles have left it late - golden point late, in fact - to down the Warriors 22-21 at Mt Smart Stadium today, thereby securing their finals berth and ending the hopes of the Canberra Raiders.

Very little split the two sides all day - seemingly going try for try most of the contest with the Sea Eagles taking the lead 8-0 after a try to Jake Trbojevic was backed up by Matthew Wright converting and then adding a penalty.

While Issac Luke wasn't doing too well with the boot, the Warriors did claim two tries through David Fusitu'a to draw level ahead of the halftime break which saw the 26 men leave the field at 8-all.

Soon after the resumption of play Wright added another penalty goal for the visitors to take a 10-8 lead, which was then added further a few minutes later when Dylan Walker benefitted from a clever Tom Trbojevic kick.

Manly wouldn't hold that lead for long when Blake Ayshford scored off a high ball which was taken neatly by Fusitu'a, Luke's conversion levelling the ledger once more.

What followed was 20 minutes of up-and-back football, errors increasing as the rain set in, the deadlock not broken til the 70th minute when Ken Maumalo blazed in for a try down the left edge. With Shaun Johnson taking the conversion, the Warriors stepped it up another gear and looked likely to extend their lead - and that they did, albeit not with a try but a field goal to Johnson.

Ahead 21-14 it seemed likely the Warriors might hold on but the following minutes provided plenty of entertainment. Manly hit back through Tom Trbojevic's magic, the fullback getting over the line under the posts and converted they trailed by just one. Over to Daly Cherry-Evans and a superb field goal attempt the next time the Eagles were in range... and it was off to golden point.

There was only one attempt at field goal in the extra time period - DCE potting his second inside ten minutes to claim a rousing comeback win for the Sea Eagles and keep them entrenched in the top eight.

The Warriors have one final assignment before Mad Monday when they visit Wests Tigers next Sunday night at Leichhardt, while the Sea Eagles host Penrith at Lottoland next Saturday.