Both South Sydney Rabbitohs Harold Matthews (16s) and SG Ball (18s) sides have fallen to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in Round 9 of their respective competitions this weekend at HE Laybutt Stadium.
The Harold Matthews side suffered their first defeat of the year, going down 28-24 against third-placed Manly in the final minute of the match in a heart-breaking loss.
In typical fashion, the Red and Green began with a quick-fire start, with a Joseph Suaalii double putting the side ahead 12-10 at half-time.
Despite scoring the next try through Epeli Lavaki, giving the Rabbitohs an 18-10 advantage early in the second stanza, the Sea Eagles struck twice in quick succession to give themselves a 22-18 lead.
That was until hooker Ratu Vesikula, ever-dangerous around the ruck, crashed over to put the Cardinal and Myrtle in front with just minutes remaining and looking to keep their unbeaten streak untouched.
But as fate would have it, the final minute of the regular season saw the Sea Eagles go over for the match-winning try to centre Filipo Whitehouse-Opetaia Tovio, giving their opponents a 28-24 victory.
However, side will have a chance to get one over the Sea Eagles this weekend when they meet for the first week of finals, with the two taking each other on at Lottoland this Saturday at 10am.
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 28 (Daniel O'Donnell, Oliver Cummins, Luke Tucker, Teddy Wilson, Filipo Whitehouse-Opetaia Tovio tries; Teddy Wilson 2, Daniel O'Donnell, Oliver Cummins goals)
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South Sydney Rabbitohs 24 (Joseph Suaalii 2, Carson Kaho, Epeli Lavaki, Ratu Vesikula tries; Naati Teaupa 2 goals)
After winning their last two matches in comprehensive style, the SG Ball side have come crashing down to earth in their final match of the season against the ladder-leading Sea Eagles.
Despite a gallant effort, the Red and Green were out-gunned across the park, with the side holding a 22-6 half-time deficit thanks to a try to fullback Logan Aldridge.
But their opponents showed why they were the team to beat, laying on a number of tries in the second half with winger Salesi Malu crossing in the final minute to close the deficit in their final match of the year.
Although the SG Ball side's season has concluded, there will still be some familiar names featuring for the Jersey Flegg (20s) side throughout the year, with a number of players being elevated into the squad.
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 66 (Jamie Lawler 2, Josh Schuster 2, Ben Trbojevic 2, Cameron Brown, Viliami Fifita, Tapu Tuipuloto, Tyreece Matangi, Giuseppi Plati, Gordon Chan Kum Tong tries; Jack Blurt 8, Tapu Tuipulotu goals)
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South Sydney Rabbitohs 10 (Logan Aldridge, Salesi Malu tries; Brad Zampech goal)
