Taufua treble helps Manly cull sorry Sharkies

A wonderful individual display by Samoan Winger Jorge Taufua has helped Manly to a convincing 28-16 defeat of a Cronulla side void of any attacking threat at Brookvale Oval in front of a committed crowd of 14,881.

Taufua playing in just his 8th game of the season, doubled his season tally for the season with a wonderful show of athleticism and strength. He was aided by strong performances by Steve Matai and Brett Stewart. The win keeps Manly's distant playoff hopes alive for at least another week. It was evident from the opening whistle that Manly were here to play and the energy and enthusiasm they showed in the early exchanges gave them a distinct advantage over a Cronulla side coming off the back of three wins and no defeats in the past 4 weeks.

It was in the 7th minute that Manly first drew blood, when Taufua scored the first of his three tries. Young Sharks Winger Valentine Holmes showed his inexperience by rushing in off his wing, this left Manly with a huge overlap and it was merely catch and pass with Taufua collecting the ball and barging over Sharks Fullback Michael Gordon to score in the corner. The returning Jamie Lyon couldn't convert the try and the score remained 4-0.

Taufua had his name in the headlines again less than 15 minutes later. Kieran Foran put in an accurate cross field chop to Taufua's wing. the Samoan tapped the ball back which hit Jack Bird, Taufua didn't need any invitations in collecting the loose ball and diving over. Jamie Lyon added the extras this time and Manly had opened up a handy 10-0 after just 20 minutes. For the next 20 mins the game was back and forth with both sides having the opportunity to post points. However poor ball control and fundamental errors hurt both clubs. However it would be the Sharks who would get the last laugh of the first half after camping down in Manly's half for an extended period of time. Some quick hands from Ben Barba and Ricky Leutele gave Sosaia Feki the opportunity to slide over in he corner and reduce the deficit to just a converted try. Michael Gordon missed the goal and the score read 10-4 at the half time interval.

Manly came out of the blocks 100 miles an hour, with the half time talk from Geoff Toovey obviously doing the job. They made 60 metres in the opening two tackles from their opening set of the half. Although it didn't provide points, the Sea Eagles didn't have to wait long. Steve Matai scored a marvelous team try on 46 minutes after some magic from Brett Stewart and that Man again Jorge Taufua. Stewart went to the line on the last tackle and put in a grubber which was collected by a flying Taufua, he flung the ball inside to the oncoming Matai who ran it under the posts to score. Again Lyon added the extra points and pushed Manly's lead back out to 10 points.

Manly weren't content with that though and proceeded to extend their lead less than 10 minutes later through under fire half Daly Cherry Evans. After some quick hands, Tom Symonds put Cherry Evans through a gaping hole in the Sharks defence to score next to the posts. Lyon extended the score to 22-4 and as the pinball machine says when you've used all your money, it was "Game Over".

The battle raged on for the next 15 minutes and eventually the Sharks were rewarded with two tries in the last 10 minutes, both to Prop Forward Andrew Fifita. On 71 minutes Fifita collected a short ball from Jeff Robson and strolled over, Gordon's goal reduced the margin to 12 points and despite Fifita again scoring on the last play of the game via another barge over try and a classy right foot step it would all be in vein. Manly had secured the points just 5 minutes earlier when Taufua collected his 3rd try of the game after some neat lead up work that included a lovely cut out pass by Brett Stewart.

Cronulla lacked any real creativity and really missed Michael Ennis who was serving his 1 match suspension. They continued to try hard for the whole game but again lacked that polish at the end of their sets. They head back to the shire next week in a local derby match against struggling St George Illawarra next Sunday. Hoping to bounce back and keep in touch withy the top 8.

Manly on the other hand kept their finals hopes alive, only just though with a committed performance. The fact they had their healthiest backline helped the situation and they will be desperate for this to continue and to try and build some momentum in the back end of the season. They have a huge match up next week against the Titans on Monday night at Cbus Super Stadium that is shaping again as a must win for the boys from the Northern Beaches.

Match Details

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 28 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 16
Venue: Brookvale Oval
Crowd: 14881
Halftime Score: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 10 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 4

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES (28)
Tries: Jorge Taufua (3), Steve Matai, Daly Cherry-Evans
Conversions: Jamie Lyon (4/5)

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (16)
Tries: Sosaia Feki, Andrew Fifita (2)
Conversions: Michael Gordon (2/3)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Jorge Taufua
2 points - Brett Stewart
1 point - Andrew Fifita

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Hello and welcome to sun soaked Brookvale oval for this Round 17 clash between arch rivals the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and the Cronulla Sharks. A lot of history in this clash. The 1973 and 78 grand finals come to mind. Should be a very good clash. I'm excited!

A few changes for both clubs. Jamie Lyon returns in a huge boost for the Manly side, Peter Hiku drops out of the squad . Josh Starling and Jayden Hodges also come onto the bench.
For Cronulla, they lose star hooker Michael Ennis, Pat Polotini comes in with a straight swap. No other changes to report.

Both sides are searching for consistency in 2015. The Sea eagles have had a treacherous year and have been at the foot of the table for the large part of the season thus far. With the futures of Foran and DCE confirmed, they can hopefully concentrate on their football and will want to put together a big streak to make the finals, Manly haven't missed the playoffs since 2004

Cronulla are without both Ennis and Gallen for this afternoon's clash, big losses. They will be relying on the likes of Jack Bird, Valentine Holmes and Luke Lewis for their impact today.
3 wins on the trot has the Sharks has them in good stead and 9th on the table. A win today will see them charge in to the top 8, something that Sharks fans will want very very badly!

Manly have won the past 4 over the Sharks. At Brookvale the Sharks have a deplorable record. Just 6 wins in 48 season at the ground! Poor reading for Cronulla. Sharks last win at Brookie was in 2008 (16-10)

About 10 mins away from kickoff here folks, grab yourself a beverage and some food and get nestled into the couch!

Here come the boys from the Shire! Led out by Wade Graham who is playing his 100th game for the Sharkies

A minutes silence for Phil Walsh here, nice touch by Manly and the NRL

Manly kick off and we are underway at Brookie!

1: Graham puts in a poor kick on the last and Trbojevic takes it easily and manly take it out from their own end

3: Another good set by the Sharkies who march 60 metres down field. Graham's kick this time is a lot better and Stewart cleans up only 5 metres out from his own line

5: Pat Politini filling in for Michael Ennis has made a great start to this clash. Getting his forwards rolling forward and getting them over the advantage line. Looks exciting when running the ball.

5: Penalty to Manly and DCE finds touch only 25m out, Sea eagles on the attack for the first time this afternoon.

7: TRY MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Scored by Jorge Taufua. Kick to come.
Far too easy for the home side. They spread it left and it's a poor defensive read by valentine Holms who rushes off his wing. It's just catch and pass for Manly and Tafua barges over Gordon to plant down in the corner.

8: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon unsuccessful.
Jamie Lyon's Kick cant fade back enough from the left hand side and it's no good, 4-0 the score remains

9: And the Sharks kick it out on the full! Bad to worse for the Shire Boys

9: Lui drops the ball only 1m out! The Sharks escape! They needed that.

10: Manly are really firing at the moment. the momentum is well and truly with them. Sharks need to hold the ball and complete their sets. Otherwise manly could run all over them

11: Butchered! Manly run it on the last, Trbojevic runs down the flank and throws inside to Stewart who if he catches the ball he scores, can't hold onto it though and again the visitors survive!

13: Manly again on the attack after another penalty, Fifita penalized for being offside

14: Try saver by Gerard Beale! Makes a superb defensive read and drills Stewart onto the turf. Next tackle Gordon cleans up a DCE grubber. Sharks clinging on at the moment.

16: Great set by the Sharks and to cap it off Jack Bird dinks in a lovely chip kick to the corner and forces manly to work it out from inside their own 10m line. Good stuff there

17: Some physical hits out there at the moment folks. Foran is the latest to feel this as he is drilled by Luke Lewis on the last after getting his kick away.

19: We're off to the video ref for a possible try to Manly!

19: TRY MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Scored by Jorge Taufua. Kick to come.
Kick by Foran is tapped back by Taufua, hits Jack Bird, Taufua picks up the scraps and slides over!

20: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon successful.
No mistake this time.10-0

24: Manly look like they are going to rip and tear very soon. Cronulla well and truly on the back foot. Trouble brewing for the Sharks...

24: We're going for a video referee decision again for manly!

24: Jayden Hodges scoots from dummy half and tries in vain to get the ball down and loses the ball over the line. We did have about 1,00000000000000 million looks though. Sharks survive again! 10m tap

24: Penalty to the Sharks after Barba is murdered off the ball. Lots of big hits in this one! Whoa!

25: Another penalty to Cronulla, well and truly on the attack now, big chance

26: Barba hits Leutele hard out the back and the force of the tackle jolts the ball free-knock on!

28: DCE kicks it out on the full! Only Just though and Sharks have the ball in an attacking position again. can they use it though?

28: No they can't! Tagatese loses it in the play the ball on tackle 1. Dear oh dear. What's doing Sharkies????

30: Errors creeping into both sides art of play now. The team that can play mistake free footy will take control of this game.

32: Penalty to Cronulla and they are only 40m out!

32: Another penalty to the Sharks! Pressure well and truly building!

33: Robson held up over the line! Desperate defence by manly.

34: Barba tries to thread the ball into the in goal but DCE is there to knock it down and clean up for Manly. Things just not happening for Cronulla, very frustrating play for Shane Flanagan

35: Sharks need to make this territory count. Had mountains of ball in Manly''s half.

36: We are going to the video referee for the Sharks!

36: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Sosaia Feki. Kick to come.
The Sharks are back! Feki crosses in the corner after some stylish hands on the last. The quick hands see's Feki collect it and stay inside the field of play to score! 10-4

37: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon unsuccessful.
Gordon's kick stays right and won't bend back. Score stays 10-4 here folks

40: That's half time here ladies and gents. Manly have dominated this game for large portions, yet only lead 10-4. Sharks sticking with them and we have a big 40 mins in the 2nd half! Join us back in 10 mins.

40: We're back for the 2nd half! Here we gooooooooooooooooooooooo!

40: Manly have 1st use f the football in this half, as the sun sets on Brookvale oval.

41: Manly make 60 metres in two tackles courtesy of runs By Symonds and DCE

41: But then Feki intercepts the ball and runs 50m before DCE collars him!

42: The kick at the end of the set by Graham is poor but Manly are trapped only 3m out from their line.

44: TRY MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Scored by Steve Matai. Kick to come.
What a try! Stewart chips over the top on the last, Tafua storms through and collects it and flings it inside to Matai who runs under the posts to score!

44: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon successful.
Lyon bangs over the conversion, 16-4.

44: Sharks in all sorts of trouble now. They will need a huge effort in the next 30 minutes to get out of this hole. Manly on top at the moment

46: Feki has just left the field with his knee injury. Bad news for the Sharks

48: Sharks trying everything to get back into this game, Manly sticking firm. Their defence has been top notch today

48: Manly again on the attack. Death knell sounding...

49: Sharks survive! Beale collects a kick from Foran. They get a relieving penalty that helps their plight.

54: TRY MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Scored by Daly Cherry-Evans. Kick to come.
Try Time! Cherry Evans slides over after Foran puts him through a gaping hole and he runs the desired 10m to score next to the posts. Game Over. 20-4

54: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon successful.
Lyon has no issues with the kick and its now 22-4 here at Brookvale.

55: Sharks look shell shocked here. They been bamboozled by some great Manly play in this half

58: Sharks break down the left, Barba involved again. Gordon's pass is forward however.

61: Sharks get a penalty and are on the attack only 40m out.

64: This game petering out now. Mistakes and ill discipline coming from both sides.

65: Brett Stewart is deemed to have lost the ball going for the try line, a blade of grass in that! Tough miss by the "prince of Brookie"

69: This is getting ridiculous, players falling like flies! We've had about 3 mins of play in the last 15!!

71: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Andrew Fifita. Kick to come.
Well Well Well! Maybe all is not lost. Fifita slides through a big hole to score out wide, 22-8

71: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Gordon nails it, 22-10

71: What can the Sharks do in this last 9 mins? Another try would make for a grandstand finish!

72: Knock on by Fifita (Andrew) and that should be all for the Sharks.

73: TRY MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Scored by Jorge Taufua. Kick to come.
Tafua has 3! Stewart is the architect and slides a beautiful pass out the back and Tafua is unmarked and dots down in the corner in front of the Manly faithful! 26-10

75: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon successful.
Lyon hits the conversion perfectly and he extends the lead out to three converted tries

77: Sharks on the attack but just like the prospect of Jeff Robson growing more hair on his head, there is literally no chance of the Sharks finding their attacking spark

80: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Andrew Fifita. Kick to come.
Last try wins? Unfortunately not for the Sharkies but they do get their 3rd try of the afternoon via a nice try by Fifita. He steps off his left foot and gets past three defenders from Manly to touch down. Tagatese had made a big bust the tackle before to set up the position. Good effort by the Sharkies there.

80: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Gordon knocks home the conversion and Manly triumph 28-16 in this one folks! Check Leaguunlimited.com later tonight for the full match report.