This article has been transcribed without permission from The Manly Daily, Tuesday, 6th February, 1996, page 28.
Eleven seconds was how close reigning World Sevens champions Manly got to hanging onto their mantle on the weekend. That was how much time was left when Norths snatched their old foe's play-off opportunity from under their noses in a quarter-final thriller.
In the opening round of their campaign at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday, the Sea Eagles looked to be well worth every point of their 7/2 favoritism. Admittedly their opponents, American Samoa, are not ranked among the game's greatest exponents, but their unpredictable attacking skills can be electrifying. So Manly's 40-0 demolition job, keeping the islanders scoreless was encouraging. They were slick and precise in their attacking play and immaculate in their defensive work.
The Queensland Crushers presented a more difficult obstacle in the second round, but Manly still proved themselves worthy contenders for the Cup with a five-tries-to-three scoreline of 22-19. Speedsters Jack Elsegood and John Hopoate each crossed for tries, adding to the doubles they posted in the opening match.
That left them with a Sunday afternoon quarter-finals showdown with arch-rivals North Sydney, who had impressively disposed of the Gold Coast 18-6 and Fiji 30-6 in their preliminary rounds. Even so, there was a feeling that the first serious test for either side was going to be far closer. How right the pundits were!
Manly looked to be sailing into a semis berth when they headed their North Harbour neighbors with just seconds remaining on the clock. But eventual finalists North Sydney brought the Sea Eagle juggernaut to an untimely halt in the dying seconds.
Each side scored four tries, but the arrow-like dropkicks of the Bears' diminutive Jason Taylor proved the difference as Norths came from behind to win 20-18. It was a heart-stopping try to Danny Williams which brought them victory when all looked lost.
Norths went on to defeat the popular Aboriginal side, led by Sea Eagles pivot Cliff Lyons, 28-16 in their semi-final, before being trounced 48-18 by 1996 World Sevens Cup winners Newcastle.
Best for Manly were Geoff Toovey, Des Hasler and Elsegood, who bagged five touchdowns for the tournament.
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