NRL 2016 season: Round 3 results, highlights and Round 4 fixtures

NRL

The Manly Sea Eagles won their first game of the 2016 National Rugby League season after defeating the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 22-12 on Monday at Brookvale Oval.

Manly recorded their first victory of the season under new coach Trent Barrett, putting the club in the winning column of the NRL rankings. Matt Parcell opened the scoring for the Sea Eagles in the 37^th minute mark, which was also his first try in a Manly uniform. Brett Stewart, and Jake and Tom Trbojevic also had one try each.

"It is great to get that first win, we have been disappointing the first two weeks," Barrett said. "It was a relief to get the win, but it is a good feeling too."

However, the Sea Eagles was somewhat costly, with the club likely to be without Martin Taupau, who is in trouble for a high shot tackle on Sharks’ Jack Bird in the 32^nd minute mark. According to Fox Sports AU, Taupau is facing a one-week ban for his ugly head high tackle that forced Bird to leave the pitch due to concussion.

"Jack didn't come back after that and the judiciary will take care of it," Sharks coach Shane Flanagan said. "It was a disappointing loss tonight. The effort was there but the execution wasn't. We just didn't take our chances."

Taupau took Twitter to apologise to the 21-year-old Bird, who openly accepted the Kiwi prop’s apology.

@MartyKapow algood brother no hard feelings.. Well done tonight buddy __
— Jack Bird (@JackBird_1) March 21, 2016

Meanwhile, Cronulla, who now fall into 10^th place, will host the Melbourne Storm at Shark Park next week. Manly, on the other hand, meet winless Sydney Roosters on Saturday at Allianz Stadium.

Match results (NRL.com)

Cowboys def. Roosters 40-0

Eels def. Bulldogs 20-6

Raiders vs Knights (draw) 24-24

Rabbitohs def. Knights 48-6

Panthers def. Broncos 23-22

Titans def. Tigers 30-18

Storm def. Warriors 21-14

Dragons def. Rabbitohs 8-6

Sea Eagles def. Sharks 22-12

Round 4 fixtures (NRL.com)

Mar. 25, Friday – Rabbitohs vs Bulldogs, Broncos vs Cowboys