Sea Eagles survive in battle of the birds

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Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Sydney Roosters

The Manly Sea Eagles were made to wait until the final play of the game to claim an 18-16 victory over the Sydney Roosters on Sunday afternoon.

Holding a two-point lead with only seconds left on the clock, Manly winger Christian Tuipulotu managed to defuse an all-or-nothing kick from Roosters rookie Sandon Smith to put the home side back in the winner's circle following back-to-back losses over the past fortnight.

Reuben Garrick's perfect record with the boot proved the difference in a match which finished three tries apiece to the delight of a sell-out crowd of 17,385 supporters at 4 Pines Park.

In an evenly matched opening which saw both teams go set for set, the Roosters appeared to open the scoring through Corey Allan, only for the bunker to rule Daniel Tupou had knocked on while contesting a bomb from Luke Keary in the lead up.

Having withstood several sets on their own line, the Rooster opened the scoring after Joseph Manu - celebrating his 150th game in first grade - delivered a sensational flick pass to send Junior Pauga (22nd minute) over in the corner.

The Sea Eagles returned serve with a scintillating try of their own which saw Brad Parker fend off two defenders before finding Reuben Garrick in support, who produced a pinpoint chip kick for Daly Cherry-Evans (27th minute) to pounce on.

An offload from Nat Butcher allowed James Tedesco (32nd minute) to put the visitors back in front, however the lead was short lived as Cherry-Evans (37th minute) intercepted a pass from Keary to send the Sea Eagles to the sheds up 12-10. 

Taking advantage of a Manly error shortly after the resumption, Manu (45th minute) powered his way to the line to put the visitor back in front.

In a dogged second half which saw points hard to come by for both teams, Josh Schuster delivered a terrific short pass that saw Ben Trbojevic (70th minute) level the scores at 16-all; Garrick's successful conversion proved decisive as the home side took a two-point lead into the final stages.

The Roosters managed to go the length of the field and force an error to have a final chance of snatching victory, however the Sea Eagles stood tall with one-time Rooster Tuipulotu holding his nerve on the final play to clinch the 18-16 result.

Next week, both sides will have their third - and final - byes of the season.