Photos: Manly Roos host Collaroy Cougars in junior rugby at Keirle Park, Manly

A PITCH invader almost disrupted a junior rugby match at Keirle Park, Manly, this morning and had to be carried from the field.

Manly Roos play Collaroy Cougars junior rugby at Keirle Park, Manly on Saturday. Rugby Union.

A PITCH invader almost disrupted a junior rugby match at Keirle Park, Manly, this morning and had to be carried from the field.

Three-year-old Luke Gaunt showed he will be an elusive player in years to come when he ran among the play and was lucky not to be hit during the Manly Roos (red) and Collaroy Cougars (white) under-eights match.

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Luke’s actions blindsided his father, Manly coach Robert Gaunt. Mr Gaunt ran on to the field and carried his laughing son away.

Luke Gaunt runs through play at Keirle Park, Manly. Picture: Braden Fastier

It was one of many eventful moments of the match, won by the visitors.

Collaroy’s best player was Harvey Miller while its winner of the coveted Mars bar for best forward runs was Will Polidano.

Collaroy manager Helen Barlow-Hunt said the team was improving every week.

“The defence was very good. They defended very well as a team,” she said.

“We have three girls in the team and they play well in tackling too.

“There are some big boys to tackle.”

For Manly, Will Rylands was named best player after he broke a series of attempted tackles late in the game to score the try of the match.

Mr Gaunt said the team was improving as about half of its roster was new to the club this year.

He also praised the defensive efforts of Billy Robertson, Taj Stephens and Jay Williams this season.

New players are welcome to join the Manly side.