As far as pre-season trials go, this was one of the better ones.
Cronulla played out an entertaining 24-all draw with Manly at Shark Park on Sunday afternoon in their first trial of the new season.
Both clubs were missing plenty of stars with Cronulla without captain Paul Gallen (calf strain) as well as Michael Ennis, Ben Barba, Wade Graham and Andrew and David Fifita (NRL All-Stars).
Manly were also without premiership winners Daly Cherry-Evans, Jamie Lyon, Brett Stewart and Steve Matai, young guns Jake and Tom Trbojevic and new signings Martin Taupau and Nate Myles.
It was an inauspicious start for Cronulla as returning halfback Chad Townsend dropped the opening kick-off, gifting Manly early possession.
The Sharks survived the opening set but a poor pass coming out of their own end led to an intercept try for Manly’s Fabian Goodall after three minutes.
Cronulla should have leveled moments later when Valentine Holmes dropped a pass from Kurt Capewell with the line gaping.
A number of mistakes from both teams littered the next 10 minutes as the sides began to blow out the cobwebs.
Cronulla were in front after 16 minutes when Sam Tagataese charged over close to the line.
A minute later the giant prop had another line break, busting through the Manly line and finding James Maloney.
Manly regained the lead a minute into the second quarter as Brayden Williame made the most of some excellent lead up work from Nicho Hynes.
Cronulla were on the ropes but showed the desire to defend their line that was so evident last season was still strong in 2016 as they repelled three consecutive sets in their own red zone.
A disallowed Manly try to Siosaia Vave and a try-saving tackle from Luke Lewis on Darcy Lussick saw Cronulla fight their way back into the contest.
They were in front after 36 minutes when Tagataese made another break from deep inside his own half and found Townsend backing up, who in turn passed to Jack Bird to score next to the posts.
A minute before half-time Cronulla extended the lead when former Ipswich Jets centre Capewell scored out wide.
Manly began to turn their possession into points in the second half as Daniel Vasek and Halauafu Lavaka scored tries to see the Sea Eagles take a 20-18 lead with 10 minutes to play.
But a slick individual effort from Holmes put Cronulla back in front after 75 minutes.
The Sharks looked to have sealed victory until Lavaka completed his double, with Sea Eagles hooker Hugh Pratt missing the conversion from the sideline to win the game.
Cronulla fans will be encouraged by the experiment of Bird at fullback, with the 20-year-old not looking out of place.
Despite having limited experience in the No.1 jersey, Bird was noticeably vocal organising Cronulla’s front line and showed good positional sense in attack and defence, popping up where he was needed on a number of occasions.
Cronulla start their NRL season with a trip to North Queensland to face the Cowboys on March 5.
Leader Scoreboard
Cronulla Sharks 24
(Valentine Holmes, Jack Bird, Sam Tagataese, Kurt Capewell tries. James Maloney three goals, Holmes goal)
drew with
Manly Sea Eagles 24
(Halauafu Lavaka 2, Daniel Vasek, Fabian Goodall, Brayden Williame tries. Hugh Pratt two goals)
at Shark Park.
Leader man of the match: Sam Tagataese (Cronulla)
