Round 1
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 10 l. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 16

2008 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Sharks win back the Rogers Trophy from Manly
Sun March 16, 2008
Source: www.sharks.com.au

Played with the intensity fitting the rivalry between the two clubs, the Sharks have won back the Steve Rogers trophy with a 16-10 victory over the Manly Sea Eagles.

After losing Ben Ross in the opening exchanges following a head clash with his opposite number Josh Perry, the Sharks showed plenty of character in overcoming the disadvantage of playing with one less interchange player in claiming a gutsy victory.

Sharks coach Ricky Stuart was understandably proud of the efforts of his players but was of the belief his side could improve on their first up win.

"Being one man down meant three of our forwards, Paul Gallen, Reece Williams and Luke Douglas played 80 minutes, which was a tremendous performance," Stuart said. "But we still gave away too many penalties and dropped too much ball, especially in the first half.

"This is a tough place to win at though so I'm obviously very pleased to get the win."

After Ross was carried from the field in a neck brace the injury to the front rower stunned the Sharks to an extent, with Manly enjoying a lions share of possession and the better field position in the early stages.

Their concerted pressure finally told on the Sharks, with Manly first on the board through Anthony Watmough, hooker Matt Balin throwing a clever one-handed pass to put the second rower over adjacent to the posts. Orford converted and Manly led 6-0.

After their slow start however the Sharks worked their way back into the game, with Williams, one of the Sharks standout on the night, making a half break before off-loading to Brett Kimmorley who was then taken down high by Manly fullback Brett Stewart.

The resulting penalty some 20-metres out from the line saw Luke Covell pilot over the Sharks first points of the 2008 season with a penalty goal.

Gaining some confidence from repeatedly turning back Manly's attacking advances, the Sharks worked their way back into the contest and after an error from their opponents began an assault on Manly's line.

A clever exchange of passes saw Kimmorley throw a long ball to Seymour, who then found David Simmons before the final pass put Bryson Goodwin over in the corner.

Despite some rowdy fans doing their best to distract Covell, the Sharks sharpshooter slotted over the conversion to give the Sharks an 8-6 lead which they would take to the half time break.

Considering Manly had enjoyed the a big advantage in field position and possession, the Sharks would have been ecstatic with a two point edge.

The Sharks then began the second half the same way they finished the first and when awarded a penalty for a hold don in the tackle, extended their lead to 10-6 through the boot of Covell.

With their defence leading the way, the Sharks were frustrating Manly and when they got a share of the football themselves they worked a beautiful move, Greg Bird passing to Brett Kearney who showed great hands to pluck the ball in and touch down untouched.

Manly were later denied a try when Bird was taken high when attempting to catch an Orford cross kick, before another penalty to the Sharks with 10 minutes remaining saw Covell attempt a kick from 30 metres and on a slight angle. The kick swung wide but the Sharks still hung to a 10-point advantage with time running out on the home team.

While the Sharks made a couple of errors to keep Manly's hopes flickering and despite a consolation try to winger Michael Bani, the Sharks would prevail and claim the very important round one win.

The Sharks had a number of outstanding performers on the night, none better than Williams and Gallen in the forwards, Kimmorley at half back and Kearney at the back.

Some half an hour after the conclusion of the match the Sharks would also have been buoyed by the news that Ross had been cleared of any neck injury. It was still unclear however whether the Sharks prop would be available to play next week against the Storm down in Melbourne.

Report source: www.sharks.com.au

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