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RD19-Manly hangs on for win over Souths
Manly showed its determination to stay ahead of the NRL's top-eight traffic zone with a 26-20 victory over a spirited South Sydney at Telstra Stadium.
The Sea Eagles moved to 22 points on the ladder to head off the challenges of fringe dwellers Wests Tigers, Canberra and Penrith for another week.
Manly scored five tries to four, including a hat-trick to winger Michael Robertson, against a Rabbitohs outfit that refused to be put to the sword.
But the Sea Eagles suffered a set-back with skipper Ben Kennedy limping off in the 77th minute with what appeared to be a left knee injury.
After going to the break down 16-10 the Rabbitohs probably needed to score first in the second half but it was Manly which extended its lead to 22-10 through a 49th minute converted try to fullback Brett Stewart, his 16th in 15 starts this season.
Souths refused to give in though and hit back in spectacular fashion when winger Nathan Merritt latched onto an attacking kick from Matt Orford on his own goal-line and headed the full 100m upfield to make it 22-14.
Then came possibly the season's most bizarre try.
Souths fullback David Peachey dived on a 65th minute kick and, in the slippery conditions was pushed back into his in-goal.
The ball popped loose and ended up between tackler Paul Stephenson's legs before Manly second-rower Luke Williamson put his hands between Stephenson's legs, touched the ball and claimed the four-pointer.
Video referee Steve Nash had at least half a dozen looks before sending it back as a "Ref's Call" and Jarred Maxwell pointed to the spot and copped a barrage from the 7509 Souths faithful as the score blew out to 26-14.
It proved the fatal blow despite Souths hitting back again through a 69th minute Merritt try to get to 26-20, failing to capitalise on their late chances.
Manly had taken a 16-10 lead into the break after Robertson's three tries, in the eighth, 32nd and 35th minutes.
Manly had scored three tries to two in the half but the Rabbitohs also had two tries disallowed.
Manly showed its determination to stay ahead of the NRL's top-eight traffic zone with a 26-20 victory over a spirited South Sydney at Telstra Stadium.
The Sea Eagles moved to 22 points on the ladder to head off the challenges of fringe dwellers Wests Tigers, Canberra and Penrith for another week.
Manly scored five tries to four, including a hat-trick to winger Michael Robertson, against a Rabbitohs outfit that refused to be put to the sword.
But the Sea Eagles suffered a set-back with skipper Ben Kennedy limping off in the 77th minute with what appeared to be a left knee injury.
After going to the break down 16-10 the Rabbitohs probably needed to score first in the second half but it was Manly which extended its lead to 22-10 through a 49th minute converted try to fullback Brett Stewart, his 16th in 15 starts this season.
Souths refused to give in though and hit back in spectacular fashion when winger Nathan Merritt latched onto an attacking kick from Matt Orford on his own goal-line and headed the full 100m upfield to make it 22-14.
Then came possibly the season's most bizarre try.
Souths fullback David Peachey dived on a 65th minute kick and, in the slippery conditions was pushed back into his in-goal.
The ball popped loose and ended up between tackler Paul Stephenson's legs before Manly second-rower Luke Williamson put his hands between Stephenson's legs, touched the ball and claimed the four-pointer.
Video referee Steve Nash had at least half a dozen looks before sending it back as a "Ref's Call" and Jarred Maxwell pointed to the spot and copped a barrage from the 7509 Souths faithful as the score blew out to 26-14.
It proved the fatal blow despite Souths hitting back again through a 69th minute Merritt try to get to 26-20, failing to capitalise on their late chances.
Manly had taken a 16-10 lead into the break after Robertson's three tries, in the eighth, 32nd and 35th minutes.
Manly had scored three tries to two in the half but the Rabbitohs also had two tries disallowed.
