Souths trample sorry Sea Eagles

South Sydney have bounced back from the bye with a resounding 20-8 win over Manly in a physical game at ANZ Stadium tonight.

Souths coming off a bye and an embarrassing 34-6 hammering at the hands of Wests Tigers a fortnight ago started well and had Manly under pressure in the opening 15 minutes with some physical running through the middle third of the field. On the back of strong performances by George Burgess and John Sutton in the forward pack they bullied Manly in the opening exchanges. However to Manly's credit they weathered the storm somewhat and were in fact the first team to score. This occurred in the 26th Minute when after some extended pressure saw Manly receive back to back sets, Kieran Foran hit a lovely cross field chip which was spilled by the normally safe Greg Inglis, scooped upon by embattled half Daly Cherry Evans who threw a lovely cut out pass that was collected by Peta Hiku who slid over out wide. The New Zealand international was unable to successfully convert his own try and the score remained 4-0

Souths weren't about to stand for this and less than two minutes later they had leveled the scores through a lovely try to boom winger Aaron Gray. The Mascot junior collected a sublime cut out pass by Greg and strolled his way over the line for his 6th try in just 8 games. Isaac Luke taking over the kicking duties from Adam Reynolds who had succumbed to a head injury and was forced off with the concussion rule, was unable to give Souths the lead and the scores were locked at 4-4. Both sides chanced their arm in the remaining 10 minutes however the only points that were scored were by an Isaac Luke penalty goal two minutes from the break. At half time Souths deservedly led 6-4.

Souths came flying out of the blocks in the second half scoring two tries in the first 8 minutes. The first came when George Burgess burst through some lazy and ordinary defence by the Sea Eagles on his way to a 40 metre bust, Aaron Gray was on the end of it and raced down the right wing and then threw a wonderful pass to Bryson Goodwin on the inside despite being thrown into touch by the onrushing Manly Defence. Goodwin grounded the ball and Souths opened up a 10-4 lead. Minutes later Souths were over again through that man Aaron Gray. John Sutton filling the halves role that Adam Reynold's had vacated put in a lovely, sublime kick that Gray picked up with ease and scooted over in the corner. Luke again missed the kick at goal and the score had now moved out to 14-4.

Manly weren't about to die wondering though. On 56 minutes they used a lovely planned move with a stylish pass by Kieran Foran that left Steve Matai in a gaping hole. Matai didn't need any invitations and slid over in the corner to reduce the deficit to 6 after Peta Hiku missed his 2nd shot of the night. However this would be the closest that the Sea eagles would get. South all but put the game beyond date on 63 minutes when a high kick by Luke Keary was bizarrely not played at by the Sea Eagles back three, instead Alex Johnston leapt high and powered through the tackle and offloaded to a flying Keary who juggled and sprinted to the line to score. The goal by Luke gave them the largest lead of the match and ultimate the full time score.

The final 15 minutes was littered with poor ball control and penalties. Souths held their defensive line and recorded a satisfying 20-8 win.

Manly will be very disappointed with yet another defeat in a match where they were in the hunt until 15 minutes to go. Lack of polish at the end of their sets and miss tackles and poor defensive reads hurt them in this game. The pressure is really on the club now as they have to win 8 of their last 10 games to qualify for the finals. A tough ask indeed. They play Cronulla next week at Brookvale Oval in an Origin-affected match. Plenty of history in that game!

Souths move into the top 4 (although only momentarily). Their win was again based on defence which will be pleasing to coach Michael Maguire. The win also came without Adam Reynolds for a large portion of the game. They are finding some form at the right time of the season and are marching up the ladder. John Sutton's form will gives the Souths faithful plenty to get excited about. His running and kicking game was top notch tonight. Souths battle Penrith next week at Pepper Stadium without their sole origin player Greg Inglis. They will be continuing to search for consistency and form in the back end of the season and push for a top 4 berth.

Match Details

South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 8
Venue: ANZ Stadium
Crowd: 14,236
Halftime Score: South Sydney Rabbitohs 6 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 4

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (20)
Tries: Aaron Gray (2), Bryson Goodwin, Luke Keary
Conversions: Issac Luke (1/4)
Penalty Goals: Issac Luke (1/1)

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES (8)
Tries: Peta Hiku, Steve Matai
Conversions: Peta Hiku (0/2)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - John Sutton
2 points - Aaron Gray
1 point - George Burgess

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Good evening ladies and gentleman and welcome to League Unlimited's coverage of Friday Night Football! First up we have this cracking clash between Souths and Manly at ANZ Stadium. This is a mouth watering clash and very important for both sides.
Souths are coming off a bye after a week earlier being hammered by the Wests Tigers, they will be eager to get back in the winners circle after a poor performance a fortnight ago.
Manly on the other hand will be looking for some consistency and momentum after last weeks win against the inconsistent Tigers. A win tonght could further that momentum and push them closer to the top 8.

A few changes for the Souths side. Isaac Luke is back and starts at hooker, George Burgess moves from the bench to start at prop and Tom Burgess drops to the bench. Glenn Stewart also makes his return on the bench in a big in for the Rabbitohs. Tim Grant starts for Dave Tyrell who also moves back to the bench.
Manly only have the one change with Justin Horo joining the bench in jumper 18.

Kieran Foran has been in the news this week a lot with his contract dispute with Parramatta, can he pit that behind him tonight and help Manly towards a valuable win?

Huge clash between the Burgess boys tonight as well. Luke playing for the Sea Eagles and Thomas and George playing with the Rabbits.
Then there is the battle between the Stewart brothers! family battles!

Kick off is off and high in the air and Manly receive the ball first in this clash.

1: Good conditions out on the field, could make for some enterprising footy from both sides. Manly in their opening set move the ball a bit.

3: Manly show their hand with Trbojevic being thrown over the sideline, Manly intent o attack early on here

5: Souths struggling a bit for metres at the moment. Credit needs to go to the Manly side who are showing some stern defence and working for each other

6: Foran escapes with a forward pass that is so blatantly forward he could almost be auditing for the QB job with the Chicago Bears! Ref has missed that one!

8: After having a 7 tackle set the Rabbits get to 10m out from the Manly line and a kick by Reynolds is taken brilliantly by Johnston whose flick back is cleaned up smartly by Kieran Foran.

9: So much history in this clash, the hits out in the middle are evident of that!

10: Both sides starting to make some decent metres coming out of their own end. Both sides are keen to spread the ball early and give their outside men some time and space

12: Souths looking to bulldoze their way through the middle with their huge forward pack, whilst Manly are trying to spread it wide at every opportunity. Good quality game so far folks.

13: Big Hit Alert!! Dylan Walker runs into a run away freight train by the name of Jorge Tafua!! bang!

14: Manly get a penalty as there is an infringement in the play the ball area, Manly on the attack only 30m out. Can they post first points?

15: UNFORCED ERROR MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Daly Cherry-Evans makes an unforced error.
They spin it wide and DCE tries to juggle it but knocks it forward. Don't show that to Geoff Toovey again! He looks furious in the box.

16: Souths loose the ball on the last and Dunamis Lui shows his agility and speed to push up the field 20 metres, good play there by the former Brisbane man

17: No Souths get the ball after a dropped ball from an inside pass. They get a penalty the next tackle and now Manly are under the pump. Souths only 20 metres out!

19: Isaac Luke throws it forward to Aaron Gray after what looked like it could be a try if the play had continued.

20: Good set from Manly is ended with Foran dinking in a nice kick into touch only 15m out, gives his forwards a well earned break.

21: UNFORCED ERROR SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Chris Grevsmuhl makes an unforced error.
Grevsmuhl loses the ball only 40 m out from his own line! Manly on the attack

23: Mnaly get another penalty when they are on the attack, 10m out. Pressure building...

23: Huge news here for Souths with Adam Reynolds going off with a possible concussion

25: TRY MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Scored by Peta Hiku. Kick to come.
Foran puts a great cross field kick that is dropped by Inglis, Cheery Evans picks it up and throws a sublime pass to Hiku who scoots over in the corner! Lovely play there from the boys from the Northern Beaches!

26: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Conversion attempt by Peta Hiku unsuccessful.
Peta Hiku hooks it across the face and the kick is no good. 4-0

26: UNFORCED ERROR MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
James Hasson makes an unforced error.
Hasson loses the ball from the kick off! Souths with a chance to hit back straight away.

28: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Aaron Gray. Kick to come.
And they do! They spread it through the Hands and Greg Inglis is the man that hits Aaron Gray with a great cut out passand he slides over for yet another try! 4-4

29: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Issac Luke unsuccessful.
Isaac Luke is way out in front of the uprights and doesn't look like coming back

30: Along with Adam Reynolds, Tim Grant is also off (back spasms) so the Rabbits are down to two men on their bench

31: Souths play hot potato on the last and the ball travels through about 10 sets of hands, Johnston muffs it though by throwing the ball straight to Hiku who gets the Sea Eagles out of trouble

32: UNFORCED ERROR MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Kieran Foran makes an unforced error.
Error by Foran, tries to get up too quickly and loses it in the play the ball.

34: THIS IS THE TACKLE OF THE YEAR!!!!!!! Matai reads Tyrell's run beautifully and absolutely nails him! Make sure you Youtube it folks! That's a brutal hit! Tyrel was airborne!

34: Keary nearly scores with a juggling act but he has lost it 1 metre out! That's cruel for Souths.

36: UNFORCED ERROR MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Daly Cherry-Evans makes an unforced error.
Big mistake by DCE, kicks I out on the full from 40m out. Souths on the attack now.

36: We also have mail that Adam Reynolds wont be back for the evening. That's a huge blow for Souths.

36: Penalty to Souths in front 10m out

38: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Penalty goal attempt by Issac Luke successful.
Sneaks the kick home, 6-4 to Souths

39: Error by Souths on their own 40m line and Manly have one last chance before half time

40: That's half time here at ANZ Stadium. 6-4 to the Rabbits. Good quality game thus far. Join us back in 15 minutes.

40: We're back for the 2nd stanza here ladies and gentleman. Who will take this one out?

42: Manly with a good set, DCE thumps a bomb high and Inglis is trapped in his own quarter

45: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Bryson Goodwin. Kick to come.
Great work by Souths here, George Burgess makes a bit bust up the middle on a 40 metre run, he links up with Gray who races down the touchline and flings it back inside to Goodwin who pounces on the last ball and scores!

45: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Issac Luke unsuccessful.
Isaac Luke's kick doesn't curl back enough and it's no good.

48: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Aaron Gray. Kick to come.
Bang Bang! Souths are running riot now. A precision kick by Sutton sets up Gray brilliantly who recovers and slides over in the corner! 14-4 and manly in trouble

49: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Issac Luke unsuccessful.
Luke again is unsuccessful with his kick. 1/4 with the boot from the NZ international

50: UNFORCED ERROR SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Glenn Stewart makes an unforced error.
Error by Stewart on 2nd tackle! Big chance for Manly to hit back here ladies and gents

51: UNFORCED ERROR MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Luke Burgess makes an unforced error.
Luke Burgess spills the ball after a strong hit by George Burgess. That's not what they needed

52: UNFORCED ERROR SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Glenn Stewart makes an unforced error.
Stewart drops it again on the last! Manly get the ball back. Tit for tat at the moment

53: If Manly want t get back into this clash then they need to complete their sets and play field position, not doing it at the moment.

54: Penalty to Manly after back to back strong carries by tafua and Matai, good opportunity for the Sea eagles. Can they turn it on?

56: TRY MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Scored by Steve Matai. Kick to come.
They're backkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk! Great passing on the blind side sees Foran with a magical pass to Matai who blitzes down the left hand touchline and slides over expertly with his feet not touching the touchline!

57: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Conversion attempt by Peta Hiku unsuccessful.
Peta Hiku's kick slides across the face and misses. 14-8 the score remains

59: Oh Manly are pressing now, Foran makes 35 metres on a dancing run. On the last DCE puts in a banana like grubber that is knocked back and Souths are only 5m out from their own line

60: Manly get a repeat set after DCE kick is charged down. Pressure building for Souths!

60: And again DCE kick is charged down! 6 more tackles! 3rd consecutive set.

63: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Luke Keary. Kick to come.
Oh Dear! Keary kicks it high and Manly fail to go up for it and Johnston collects it high and fights in the tackle and offloads to a flying Keary who slides over next to the sticks! 18-8. Death Knell sounding for the Sea Eagles

64: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Issac Luke successful.
Luke nails from close to infront and they extend the lead to 12 points

65: All for Manly to do now, they get some help from the ref's and get a penalty to march up the field. They need points quickly...

67: FREAKISH FROM GI!!! The ball is kicked on the last by Luke from 5m out, looks to be dead for all money and GI keeps chasing and he superman but his foot is on the dead ball line! Unlucky

69: Souths defence is holding firm despite what Manly throw at them. Very impressive display again.

74: Manly on the attack courtesy of a few penalties. Can they bridge the gap?

78: Few errors by both sides and this game is grinding to a halt. Souths in complete control

79: Forward pass by DCE with Manly only 10m out. Pretty much sums up Manly's night. They've tried hard but things haven't really come off

80: Full time and Souths have dispatched Manly 20-8. Check leagueunlimited.com for a full match report later in the night.