The NZ Warriors' NRL Finals hopes may be officially dashed by the end of the weekend following another loss.
The once-contending Warriors slumped to their third straight loss in August, going down 24-10 to the Manly Sea Eagles in Round 24 at a wet 4 Pines Park in Sydney on Friday night.
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The Warriors remained five points off the top-eight, with two matches and a bye remaining. If the Dolphins or St George Illawarra Dragons win over the weekend, the Warriors will be officially eliminated.
A storm moved through Sydney on Friday afternoon, with heavy rain, thunder and lightning arriving on the Northern Beaches early in the second half. The conditions made ball control difficult and it was the Sea Eagles who navigated the situation the best.
The scores were locked at 10-10 at the break, the hosts scoring 14 unanswered points in the second half to secure a vital victory.
The visitors controlled the early exchanges, however, it was the Sea Eagles who opened the scoring after a Cherry-Evans 40/20 put the side on the attack, with Jason Saab crossing from the ensuing set.
The Warriors had a try denied due to an obstruction before they hit back through veteran halfback Shaun Johnson moments later.
The scores were only level for three minutes before Luke Brooks put Tommy Talau through a gap, with Tom Trbojevic finishing off the long-range play.
While Manly attempted to kick clear, the Warriors hit back before the break when Dallin Watene-Zelezniak completed an acrobatic finish in the corner to make it 10-10 at halftime.
The Sea Eagles were the first to strike after the players returned to the field, Reuben Garrick leaping through the air to snare a Cherry-Evans bomb. The rain started to fall soon after, with ball control becoming increasingly difficult.
The Warriors had chances to hit back, but they could not convert and Manly made them pay when Trbojevic put Lehi Hopoate over in the corner before Garrick kicked a penalty goal in the final play of the game to secure a 24-10 victory.
The Warriors play on Friday night again next week, hosting the Canterbury Bulldogs at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart (kick-off 8pm) in their final home match of the season.
Manly Sea Eagles 24 (Jason Saab, Tom Trbojecvic, Reuben Garrick, Lehi Hopoate tries; Reuben Garrick 4 goals) NZ Warriors 10 (Shaun Johnson, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak tries; Shaun Johnson goal). HT: 10-10
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