The Manly Sea-Eagles have stayed at the top of the premiership table thanks to a scrappy 20-14 victory over the New Zealand Warriors at a sodden Mt Smart Stadium this afternoon.
Manly’s four tries to three victory wasn’t secured until prop Brent Kite crashed over in the 76th minute, with both sides poor ball control sure to be addressed by both coaches during the week.
After a tight opening 15 minutes, it was a barnstorming run from Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei that brought about the opening points, the monster Kiwi winger palming off David Williams and Brett Stewart on a damaging sixty metre charge before dotting down in the corner in his return match.
Also appearing in his first game after a lengthy injury spell, New Zealand pivot Michael Witt converted superbly from the sideline to hand the home side a 6-0 advantage.
The Sea-Eagles replied just three minutes later however thanks to some fancy footwork from fullback Brett Stewart, with the Origin custodian mesmerising three Warriors defenders in an angled cross field charge to get the visitor’s back to 6-4 in the 18th minute.
Running with the aid of a strong breeze, the Sea-Eagles were cruelly denied two further try scoring decisions by video referee Graeme West, allowing the Warriors to take a slight 6-4 lead into the main break.
An energetic start to the second half from Manly allowed them to snatch the lead in the 45th minute, with backrower Glenn Stewart steaming onto a neat Heath L’Estrange offload to barrel his way over beside the posts, with Matt Orford’s conversion pushing the visitor’s out to a 10-6 lead.
In what was warming into an entertaining encounter, the Warriors drew level thanks to a piece of good fortune, with an Ian Henderson grubber kick rebounding off Manly’s Steve Menzies, allowing Simon Mannering to bounce over.
The Warriors chances of recording an upset grew greater when winger Aidan Kirk leapt high over his opposite Williams to dot down, with Witt again missing from the sideline leaving the Warriors clinging to a slender 14-10 advantage heading inside the final 15 minutes.
But in a see-sawing match, Manly hooker Matt Ballin snatched back the lead with a simple dummy-half barge over try close to the posts, with Orford’s conversion from close range handing the Sea-Eagles a 16-14 advantage inside the final eight minutes.
And it was the Warriors ill-discipline that eventually cost them the game, with Manly front-rower Brent Kite wrapping up the match with a late four-pointer.
Manly Sea-Eagles 20
Tries: Brett Stewart, Glenn Stewart, Matt Ballin, Brent Kite
Goals: Matt Orford 2
defeated
New Zealand Warriors 14
Tries: Manu Vatuvei, Simon Mannering, Aidan Kirk
Goals: Michael Witt
At Mt Smart Stadium
Referee – Tony De Las Heras
In today’s other games, the Sydney Roosters have survived a late Newcastle Knights charge to secure a thrilling 16-14 victory over the Novacastrians at a rowdy EnergyAustralia Stadium today.
After trailing 6-8 at half-time, the visitor’s smart use of the strong second half breeze allowed winger Shaun Kenny-Dowall to cross for two tries to keep an equal share of the competition lead.
Sydney Roosters 16
Tries: Shaun Kenny-Dowall 2, David Shillington
Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon 2
defeated
Newcastle Knights 14
Tries: Cory Paterson, Danny Buderus
Goals: Kurt Gidley 3
At Energy Australia Stadium
And at Toyota Park, a Luke Covell penalty goal after the full time siren has seen the Cronulla Sharks record a heart-stopping 16-14 victory over the Parramatta Eels.
Cronulla Sharks 16
Tries: Isaac De Gois, Luke Douglas
Goals: Luke Covell 4
defeated
Parramatta Eels 14
Tries: Taulima Tautai, Tony Williams
Goals: Luke Burt 3
At Toyota Stadium
The Manly Sea-Eagles have produced one of the most heroic performances in the clubs history, gutsing out an against all odds 20-16 victory over the Parramatta Eels at a sodden Parramatta Stadium tonight.
With an 5-11 penalty count against them, and despite having only one fresh interchange for the entire second half, the Sea-Eagles displayed pure grit to ground out a much deserved victory.
It was another frustrating night for the struggling Eels; with the home side failing to create enough opportunities to put the injury depleted Manly side to bed.
The visitor’s opened the scoring in spectacularly bizarre fashion in the fourth minute, off the back of a shocking blunder by Parramatta winger, Eric Grothe.
After intercepting a Steve Menzies pass off the back of a long break from the aging Manly lock, Grothe crabbed across field in an attempt to link up with an unmarked Jarryd Hayne, but threw a wild pass at Hayne’s feet, enabling Manly’s Michael Bani to scoop up the loose ball and score in the corner.
Matt Orford’s sideline conversion handed the Sea-Eagles a 6-0 advantage after just five minutes.
The Eels posted their first points five minutes later through a Luke Burt penalty goal to make it 6-2, but despite a handy possession advantage, failed to penetrate the watertight Manly defence.
Against the run of play, Manly were able to extend their lead in the 16th minute, this time Grothe caught well out of position, allowing opposite Michael Robertson to bustle past him and dot down off an Orford chip kick.
The Eels dominated both field position and possession for the remainder of the half, but could only add a 36th minute Burt penalty goal to make it 10-4 at the break.
Off the back of repeat sets, Manly fullback Brett Stewart sliced through two Eels defenders early in the second half to push the Sea-Eagles lead out to 14-4, with the ten point lead particularly crucial given the slippery conditions.
Parramatta gave their home fans some hope when lock Chad Robinson scored a freakish try off a Nathan Hindmarsh grubber, with Burt’s third goal closing the gap to 14-10 in the 56th minute.
The brilliance of Feleti Mateo pushed the Eels ahead just five minutes later, with the exciting number six pocketing a superb banana kick through for the flying Burt to claim a converted try for a 16-14 lead.
But Manly snatched the lead back in the 73rd minute through a converted try to hooker Heath L’Estrange, with the Sea-Eagles defence holding firm in the final stages to complete a gutsy four tries to two victory.
The Sea-Eagles will try to find 17 healthy players ahead of next Saturday nights clash with the Canterbury Bulldogs at Brookvale Oval, while the Eels will enjoy the week off courtesy of the Round 7 bye.
Manly Sea-Eagles 20
Tries: Michael Bani, Michael Robertson, Brett Stewart, Heath L’Estrange
Goals: Matt Orford 2
defeated
Parramatta Eels 16
Tries: Chad Robinson, Luke Burt
Goals: Luke Burt 4
At Parramatta Stadium
Referee – Shayne Hayne
The Manly Sea-Eagles have ended the South Sydney Rabbitohs fairytale run by recording a hard fought 30-6 victory at a packed Brookvale Oval on Saturday night.
With Souths needing a win to stay in the semi-final race, it was a resilient performance by the unfancied Rabbitohs to keep pace with their star studded rivals for the majority of the match, before four late tries enabled the Sea-Eagles to skip away with a bruising victory.
The match was not without controversy however, when in the 61st minute Souths lock Ben Rogers was put on report by referee Shayne Hayne for an apparent late charge on Manly half Matt Orford, with replays suggesting that Rogers there was nothing illegal with Rogers charge.
Momentum enabled the Sea-Eagles to run away with the match from that point on, with zippy Manly fullback Brett Stewart and veteran utility Steve Menzies both crossing for a try scoring double.
Souths started the match full of purpose, and were rewarded for their enthusiasm with a sixth minute penalty goal to Joe Williams for a Sea-Eagles ruck indiscretion.
After video referee Tim Mander had only moments earlier denied tries to both Menzies and Stewart, the Sea-Eagles finally opened the scoring with a four pointer to the prolific try scoring backrower Menzies.
Receiving the ball 30 metre out in traffic, it was a trademark Menzies swerve and fend that saw him burst clear of two lazy Souths defenders, with the elusive utility having enough pace to beat the Souths cover defence to score in the corner.
Orford duly converted to push Sea-Eagles out to a narrow 6-2 lead after 18 minutes.
With the home team beginning to control both possession and field position, South Sydney were forced to defend their tryline for much of the closing stages of the first half, with the Sea-Eagles heading to the sheds with a slender 6-2 half-time lead.
A pumped up Souths unit travelled the length of the field from the restart, with veteran Souths winger Paul Mellor opening the second half in spectacular fashion by claiming a precision Williams cross field kick, and dotting down inside the right hand corner.
Williams sideline conversion attempt swung wide, leaving the scores all tied up at 6-all after 43 minutes.
Manly snatched back the lead ten minutes later, with a determined Anthony Watmough charge being rewarded with the dynamic backrowers 11th try of the season.
Orford converted from right in front to extend the Sea-Eagles lead to 12-6.
The Sea-Eagles appeared home and hosed when Stewart accepted a brilliant Jamie Lyon offload to dive over beside the posts, with Orford’s third conversion handing the home side a commanding 18-6 lead heading into the final 15 minutes.
Souths fate was sealed for season ’07 when Stewart and Menzies flashed over for their try scoring doubles, with Manly now only one game away from another grand final appearance.
Manly Sea-Eagles 30
Tries: Brett Stewart 2, Steve Menzies 2, Anthony Watmough
Goals: Matt Orford
South Sydney Rabbitohs 6
Tries: Paul Mellor
Goals: Joe Williams
At Brookvale Oval
Referee – Shayne Hayne
The Manly Sea-Eagles survived a second half onslaught from the St George-Illawarra Dragons to record a thrilling 28-24 victory at Brookvale Oval on Sunday.
Manly burst out of the blocks with a dominant five try first half performance, but the Dragons stormed home late to score three converted tries of their own to go within a whisker of causing an upset victory.
After a mistake riddled opening ten minutes, it was a beautiful cut out pass from Matt Orford that allowed Manly centre Steve Matai to cross for the opening try of the match.
With the aide of a strong breeze, Orford converted from wide out to hand the home side an early 6-0 lead.
After booting a booming 40/20 kick to put the Sea-Eagles back on the attack, Monaghan pushed the home side further ahead when he barged over from dummy half to score just three minutes later.
Orford easily converted to push Manly out to 12-0 after 14 minutes.
St George hit back with a simple try against the run of play, with Dragons backrower Beau Scott bursting through some soft Sea-Eagles defence and linking up with a flying Mark Gasnier to score under the posts.
Dragons half Jamie Soward nailed the simple conversion to make it 12-6 after 20 minutes.
A brilliantly rehearsed Manly scrum base manoeuvre saw centre Steve Bell cross just four minutes later, with another Orford conversion extending the lead to 18-6.
Manly scored one of the tries of the season from the resulting kick off, as replacement centre Michael Bani burst through the Dragons chasing team, sprinting fifty metres before linking with flying fullback Brett Stewart to race away and score.
The Sea-Eagles completed a dominant first half performance when Monaghan dived over for his second try of the afternoon, with Orford’s fourth conversion sending the home side into the half-time break with a commanding 28-6 lead.
With possession evening up in the second half, the Dragons unveiled a powerful running game in a bid to crack Manly’s impenetrable defence.
But it wasn’t until the 66th minute that the Sea-Eagles did eventually crack, with Gasnier climbing high to claim a pinpoint Soward bomb to notch his second try of the afternoon.
Soward’s conversion made it 28-12 with 13 minutes to play.
The alarm bells were ringing loud for Manly when Matt Cooper (69th) and Jason Nightingale (78th) crossed for late tries, but the second best in the league held firm to register a thrilling four point victory.
Manly Sea-Eagles 28
Tries: Michael Monaghan 2, Steve Matai, Steve Bell, Brett Stewart
Goals: Matt Orford 4
St George-Illawarra Dragons 24
Tries: Mark Gasnier 2, Matt Cooper, Jason Nightingale
Goals: Jamie Soward 4
At Brookvale Oval
Referee – Steve Clark
The Manly Sea-Eagles continued Newcastle’s week of woe, dishing out a 50-16 hammering of the demoralised Knights at Bluetongue Stadium on Friday night.
Manly’s nine tries to three victory was built on the back of a dominant first half display, with the Sea-Eagles racing in five first half tries to lead 26-0 at the break.
The Sea-Eagles opened the scoring in just the sixth minute, with backrower Glenn Stewart charging onto a Matt Ballin offload to barge over from close range.
Manly skipper Matt Orford converted from in front to make it 6-0.
With the Sea-Eagles dominating field position for much of the opening half, it was Manly fullback Brett Stewart hat extended his sides lead with a simple 24th minute try. Orford’s conversion attempt swung wide, leaving Manly with a 10-0 lead.
An Anthony Watmough bust just a minute later allowed Jack Afamasaga to score a scintillating 70 metre converted try, and things went from bad to worse when Sea-Eagles centre Jamie Lyon crossed for his side’s third converted try in five minutes to make it 20-0.
Manly veteran Steve Menzies scored his 164th career try when he scored off a Matt Orford kick, with Jamie Lyon’s conversion handing the Sea-Eagles a commanding 26-0 half time lead.
Lyon continued the carnage straight after the break when he crossed for his second try of the night, and the scoreline was getting embarrassing when Orford crossed in the 56th minute to make it 36-0.
Newcastle crossed for three late tries to add some respectability to the scoreboard, with Manly’s sixth straight victory keeping them within reach of the Storm for the minor premiership battle.
Manly will now do battle with the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Telstra Stadium next Friday night, while the Knights will play host to the Panthers next Sunday.
Manly Sea-Eagles 50
Tries: Jamie Lyon 2, Brett Stewart 2, Glenn Stewart, Jack Afamasaga, Steve Menzies, Matt Orford, Adam Cuthbertson
Goals: Matt Orford 3, Jamie Lyon 3, Steve Menzies
Newcastle Knights 16
Tries: James McManus, Brad Tighe, Steve Simpson
Goals: Scott Dureau 2
At Bluetongue Stadium
Referee – Shayne Hayne
Another injury to a Broncos representative soured Brisbane’s 20th anniversary celebrations, with the Manly Sea-Eagles registering a gritty 21-8 victory at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
A suspected broken jaw to hooker Shaun Berrigan has left the Broncos premiership defence in tatters, with the zippy rake now joining fellow representatives Lockyer, Hunt, Tate and Ennis on the sidelines with long term injuries.
It was a three try performance by Manly backrower Anthony Watmough that dashed Brisbane’s anniversary party, with Manly’s fifth straight victory drawing them level with Melbourne at the top of the premiership table.
It was Brisbane who opened the scoring with a 16th minute penalty goal to Corey Parker, with the Sea-Eagles penalised for a ruck infringement.
But it was the first of three Watmough’s tries that brought the Suncorp Stadium crowd to their feet, with a neat Michael Monaghan offload allowing Jamie Lyon to find a rampaging Watmough to score under the posts.
Sea-Eagles half Matt Orford duly converted to hand the visitors a 6-2 half time lead.
Manly extended their lead in the 48th minute with Watmough’s second four pointer, with the former Origin backrower on the end of a scintillating 55 metre backline movement. Orford again converted to make it 12-2.
A 61st minute penalty goal to Orford pushed the Sea-Eagles out to a handy 14-2 advantage, with the Broncos beginning to fatigue due to the loss of Berrigan.
The Sea-Eagles looked to be home and hosed when Watmough crashed over for his third try in the 66th minute, with Orford’s fourth goal of the afternoon making it 20-2.
Broncos lock Greg Eastwood scored a consolation try in the 75th minute to add some respectability to the scoreline, with a 78th minute Orford field goal completing the 21-8 victory.
The Broncos will now try to resurrect their season when they travel to Olympic Park next Sunday to face the Melbourne Storm, whilst the Sea-Eagles will meet the Newcastle Knights at Gosford’s Bluetongue Stadium next Friday night.
Manly Sea-Eagles 21
Tries: Anthony Watmough 3
Goals: Matt Orford 4, Matt Orford fg
Brisbane Broncos 8
Tries: Greg Eastwood
Goals: Corey Parker 2
At Suncorp Stadium
Referee – Ben Cummins
The Manly Sea-Eagles consolidated second spot on the premiership ladder with an entertaining 32-24 victory over the Parramatta Eels at a rowdy Parramatta Stadium on Sunday.
The Sea-Eagles six tries to four victory was built on a dominant second half effort, with Jamie Lyon crossing for two tries in a spectacular four try second half display from Manly.
Manly winger Michael Robertson opened the scoring for the visitors in just the third minute, with a precision Matt Orford cross field kick finding the unmarked Robertson to score in the corner.
Sea-Eagles skipper Orford missed with his sideline conversion to leave Manly with an early 4-0 lead.
The visitors extended their lead in the 15th minute through try scoring machine Brett Stewart. Another Orford cut out found Robertson unmarked on the wing, with the flashy winger able to offload back inside for Stewart to dive over in the corner.
Orford again missed from virtually the same spot, leaving the Sea-Eagles leading 8-0.
Parramatta winger Eric Grothe produced a typically powerhouse try in the 18th minute, with the massive winger palming off four Manly defenders in a spectacular 40 metre charge.
Rookie Eels winger Krisnan Inu converted from out wide to close the gap to 8-6.
The Eels took the lead in the 28th minute, with a fantastic Tim Smith chip kick enabling namesake Ben Smith to dive over. Inu duly converted to lead 12-8.
A Manly mistake afforded Parramatta fantastic field position, with Eels fullback Jarrad Hayne dancing through some soft Sea-Eagles goal line defence to score under the posts in the 32nd minute.
Inu nailed the conversion from right in front to take an 18-8 lead, an advantage they took to the half-time break.
Manly burst out of the blocks in with two tries early in the second half, with Steve Menzies and Brent Kite crossing for dubious four pointers to give the visitors a narrow 20-18 lead in the 50th minute.
In what was a spectacular second forty minutes, talented Eels winger Inu dotted down for a converted try in the 55th minute to snatch the lead, only to have Manly snatch it back three minutes later through a converted Lyon try.
Both sides unleashed some exhilarating football over the final twenty minutes, with Manly centre Lyon wrapping up the match with his second four pointer in the 72nd minute.
The Eels now face another of their arch rivals in the Canterbury Bulldogs at Telstra Stadium next Friday night, while the Sea-Eagles travel to Suncorp Stadium next Sunday to meet the injury riddled Brisbane Broncos.
Manly Sea-Eagles 32
Tries: Jamie Lyon 2, Michael Robertson, Brett Stewart, Steve Menzies, Brent Kite
Goals: Matt Orford 4
Parramatta Eels 24
Tries: Eric Grothe, Ben Smith, Jarrad Hayne, Krisnan Inu
Goals: Krisnan Inu 4
At Parramatta Stadium
A two try effort by Manly veteran Steve Menzies allowed the second placed Sea-Eagles to record a comprehensive 34-4 victory over the Wests Tigers at Brookvale Oval on Friday night.
It was a typically gutsy display from the second placed Sea-Eagles, with the home side forced to play the majority of the match without strike centre Steve Bell who limped off with a knee injury.
After dominating possession through a succession of early penalties, it was Sea-Eagles backrower Glenn Stewart that crashed over from close range to open the scoring. Manly skipper Matt Orford duly converted to hand the home side an early 6-0 lead.
With top four positions riding on the result of this match, the match deteriorated into a forward dominated arm wrestle, with the sizeable Manly forwards beginning to dominate their less experienced rivals.
Interchange hooker Stuart Flanagan brought the 15,822 strong Brookvale crowd to life in the 32nd minute, bursting through some tiring Manly defence to race 60 metres and score a brilliant solo try. Tigers half Robbie Farah failed to convert, but the Tigers were back in the hunt at 6-4.
The Sea-Eagles went further ahead just before the break with a simple barge over try to hooker Michael Monaghan. Orford converted from right in front to send the Manly team to the sheds 12-4 up at the break.
Menzies pushed Manly even further ahead just three minutes after the resumption of play, with the wily veteran bursting over off a Jamie Lyon offload. Orford failed to convert from wide out, but the Sea-Eagles held a commanding 16-4 lead.
Lyon and Menzies were at it again just four minutes later; with the Test centre making an incisive burst before linking up with Menzies to cross for his double. Orford nailed the conversion to burst Manly out to a 22-4 lead.
The Sea-Eagles wrapped up the game in the 69th minute with an exhilarating seventy metre movement resulting in a try to winger Michael Robertson. Orford’s fourth conversion of the night made it 28-4.
A late try to Manly forward Mark Bryant sealed the six tries to one shutout.
The Sea-Eagles now do battle with the Sharks at Toyota Park next Friday night, whilst the Wests Tigers play host to the Warriors at Campbelltown Stadium next Sunday.
Manly Sea-Eagles 34
Tries: Steve Menzies 2, Glenn Stewart, Michael Monaghan, Michael Robertson, Mark Bryant
Goals: Matt Orford 5
Wests Tigers 4
Tries: Stuart Flanagan
Goals:
At Brookvale Oval
Crowd – 15,288
The Manly Sea-Eagles continued their recent dominance over the South Sydney Rabbitohs with a hard fought 14-2 victory at Brookvale Oval on Friday night.
In front of a vocal crowd of 7,341on a wet Sydney night, it was the high flying Sea-Eagles that recorded their fifth straight victory of the season at their home fortress, while consigning Souths to their eighth loss for season ’07.
It was a penalty goal to South Sydney winger Nathan Merritt that opened the scoring in the 6th minute, after Manly prop Jason King was penalised for a ruck infringement.
The home side replied just two minutes later, with inspirational Manly centre Steve Menzies crossing for his 160th try in the corner in front of his adoring home crowd.
A cross field bomb by Manly half Matt Orford was batted down by Sea-Eagles wingman Michael Robertson, with Menzies accepting the crumbs to dot down in his 310th first grade match. Origin centre Jamie Lyon duly converted to put the Sea-Eagles in front 6-2 after just nine minutes of play.
After a whirlwind start, the match deteriorated into a forward dominated arm wrestle, with the soggy weather conditions hampering any chance of a free flowing attacking spectacle.
The Sea-Eagles extended their lead in the 28th minute, with a Lyon penalty goal pushing them out to an 8-2 advantage.
Manly fullback Brett Stewart continued his freakish try scoring tally at Brookvale when he crossed in the 32nd minute, after two fantastic offloads from Orford and Monaghan put the flying custodian over. Lyon nailed his third goal of the night to push the home side out to a handy 14-2 halftime lead.
In what was a scoreless second half, it was the Sea-Eagles determination and pride in their defensive line that prevented the visiting Rabbitohs from crossing for a much needed four pointer.
Souths had plenty of opportunities to peg back the twelve point deficit in the second half, but they were continuously thwarted by desperate Manly defence and poor attacking options.
The closest the Rabbitohs came was in the 68th minute, when rookie five-eighth Ben Rogers chose to dummy and run instead of passing to his unmarked support, before being brought down in a fabulous cover defending total by Stewart.
The Sea-Eagles now play host to the Canterbury Bulldogs next Friday night at Brookvale Oval, whilst the South Sydney Rabbitohs now face off against the Cronulla Sharks at Telstra Stadium next Sunday.
Manly Sea-Eagles 14
Tries: Steve Menzies, Brett Stewart
Goals: Jamie Lyon 3
South Sydney Rabbitohs 2
Tries:
Goals: Nathan Merritt
At Brookvale Oval
The Manly Sea-Eagles stayed atop the premiership table with a 22-12 shut out of a lethargic Parramatta Eels on Friday night, with the Sea-Eagles Matt Orford enhancing his NSW State of Origin claims with a standout performance.
Orford and Michael Monaghan were at their scheming best against the Eels, with both Manly halves pushing their claims for the vacant Blues number seven jersey to be announced on Tuesday.
In a tight first half, it was Parramatta that had the better of possession and field position, with the opening half dominated by semi-final type defence. Parramatta dominated territory over the opening twenty minutes, with Manly returning serve by shoring the ledger up over the next twenty minutes.
After a glut of early possession, Parramatta were the first to post points through a simple dummy and run try from crafty half Tim Smith, with Luke Burt’s simple conversion handing the visitors the perfect start.
The Sea-Eagles had a fantastic opportunity to level the scores in the 32nd minute, with a brilliant movement from the talented Manly backline putting Brett Stewart over in the corner. However Stewart was denied the chance to add to his impressive try tally at the Brookvale fortress, with referee Paul Simpkins ruling the last pass forward.
A mistake from rookie Eels centre Krisnan Inu just thirty seconds out from the break, allowed Manly Test star Jamie Lyon to boot a penalty goal, leaving the Eels clinging to a 6-2 half time lead.
After a dour opening to the second half, a 50 metre charge from Manly backrower Anthony Watmough put the home team on the attack, with Lyon scoring from a neat little Michael Monaghan grubber off the next play. Lyon’s conversion attempt skewed wide off the boot, leaving the score deadlocked at 6 all after 50 minutes.
Try scoring dynamo Stewart made amends for his earlier missed opportunity by scoring a controversial try in the 54th minute. Stewart dived between two Eels defenders from dummy half, and with video evidence inconclusive, video referee Tim Mander had no choice but to rule a benefit of the doubt try to the impressive fullback. Lyon had no trouble with the conversion, and after a mountain of first half defence, the home side somehow found themselves up 12-6.
The Sea-Eagles were over again three minutes later with a nifty try to winger Chris Hicks, after a pin point Orford grubber got in behind the Eels backline in the greasy conditions. Parramatta winger Eric Grothe slipped over while attempting to turn and chase, offering Hicks a saloon passage to the line. Lyon missed the conversion attempt from the sideline, but the Sea-Eagles looked to have had the match wrapped up at 16-6.
A tired looking Parramatta outfit could not prevent Manly’s fourth try in twenty minutes, with another brilliant try to Stewart putting the match beyond doubt. Showing unbelievable pace and skill, Stewart was able to plant the ball inched inside the corner post amidst the desperate covering tackle by Grothe, with Lyon this time nailing the sideline conversion.
Parramatta interchange forward Zeb Taia gave the Eels a slim chance when he scored under the posts in the 67th minute, with an extremely quick Burt conversion making it 22-12 with 13 minutes left on the clock.
But it wasn’t to be the Eels night, with the Sea-Eagles shutting out the match much to the enjoyment of the 19,944 strong pro-Manly crowd.
The Manly Sea-Eagles now face off against the Brisbane Broncos next Monday night at Suncorp Stadium, whilst Parramatta will host the North Queensland Cowboys next Saturday night.
Manly Sea-Eagles 22
Tries: Brett Stewart 2, Chris Hicks
Goals: Jamie Lyon 4
Parramatta Eels 12
Tries: Tim Smith, Zeb Taia
Goals: Luke Burt 2
At Brookvale Oval
Manly joined Melbourne as the only teams undefeated in season 2007, recording a hard fought 16-14 victory over a bumbling Canterbury Bulldogs outfit at Telstra Stadium tonight.
Canterbury coach Steve Folkes will be fuming at his side’s impatience and lack of focus, after the Bulldogs all but handed the Sea-Eagles victory through poor ball control and fundamental errors.
In a scrappy first half, the visitors had the better of both possession and field position, but were unable to turn the advantage into points. The Bulldogs were their own worst enemies however, turning over possession repeatedly inside their own quarter.
A series of Bulldogs handling errors afforded Manly handy field position, with Sea-Eagles winger Michael Robertson sneaking down a short blindside to score the first try of the night. Jamie Lyon missed the sideline conversion, but the visitors held an early 4-0 advantage.
The Bulldogs finally hit back with a try against the run of play, after an uncustomary Manly fumble. Spotting a slight gap in the Manly ruck defence, utility hooker Dallas Mc Ilwain barged his way over to score adjacent to the posts. Hazem El Masri had no trouble with the conversion attempt to hand the Bulldogs undeserved 6-4 lead at half time.
Sonny Bill Williams came out firing early in the second half, with a trademark Sonny Bill hit forcing an error from Sea-Eagles backrower Anthony Watmough. Accepting a perfectly timed offload from Mark O’Meley at the defensive line, Williams charged through a gap before wrong footing Manly fullback Brett Stewart on his way to the try line. El Masri nailed his second goal in his 250th NRL game to hand the Bulldogs a 12-4 lead.
Manly hit straight back in the 49th minute through an opportunist try to Chris Hicks. Bulldogs winger El Masri fumbled a Michael Monaghan grubber on his own try line, losing the ball forward into the hands of a charging Chris Hicks, who beat three in a winding run to the line. Lyon was this time able to convert the try, and the visitors were back in the match trailing 12-10.
El Masri made up for his earlier handling error, by booting his third kick of the night from a Manly ruck infringement to put the Bulldogs out by four with fourteen minutes left on the clock.
But the Sea-Eagles returned serve three minutes later with what the try of the match to Manly centre Steve Bell. Accepting the ball thirty metres out from the Canterbury line, Manly half Monaghan placed a deft little chip kick over the Bulldogs defensive line, before regathering and offloading to an unmarked Bell to race away and score. Lyon duly converted to put the Sea-Eagles back in front 16-14.
Canterbury threw everything at the tireless Manly defence in the final five minutes, with only desperate last ditch Sea-Eagles defence preventing the home side from recording a much needed win.
The Bulldogs now meet arch rivals Parramatta at Telstra Stadium next Sunday, whilst the Sea-Eagles take on the NRL surprise packets the Gold Coast Titans at Brookvale Oval next Sunday.
Manly Sea-Eagles 16 (Michael Robertson, Chris Hicks, Steve Bell tries; Jamie Lyon 2 goals)
Defeated
Canterbury Bulldogs 14 (Dallas Mc Ilwain, Sonny Bill Williams tries; Hazem El Masri 3 goals)
At Telstra Stadium
Crowd – 20,629
The Manly Sea-Eagles have staved off a desperate last surge by a determined New Zealand Warriors outfit at Brookvale Oval this afternoon, with the home side completing a gritty, come form behind 13-10 victory.
On an overcast Brookvale afternoon, the visitors held a 6-0 lead for the first sixty minutes, as a desperately unlucky Manly outfit were constantly denied by both the officials and tireless Warriors defence.
Manly had four try claims denied by both referee Ben Cummins and video referee Phil Cooley, with Manly fullback Brett Stewart desperately unlucky not to have notched a hat trick by half time.
The Warriors enjoyed the better of both field position and possession in the early stages of the match, thanks to some favourable refereeing decisions from Ben Cummins.
However, Manly fullback Brett Stewart had the chance to add to his impressive try scoring tally in the 10th minute, when a set scrum move saw Stewart burst through the line only to be brought down inches from the tryline. The temptation proved too much for the speedy custodian, lunging over to score, only to have the try disallowed for a double movement by video referee Phil Cooley.
Warriors centre Tony Martin opened the scoring just three minutes later, after a perfectly placed Michael Witt bomb was pounced on by the goal kicking centre. In blustery conditions, Martin was able o convert from the sideline handing the visitors a perfect 6-0 lead early.
Manly skipper Brent Kite had a chance to level the scores for the home side in the 24th minute when he crashed through the Warriors defence under the posts, only to have the ball stripped by Warriors fullback Wade McKinnon.
Brett Stewart crossed the tryline again in the 28th minute after a glut of possession for the home side, only to have the try disallowed this time by referee Cummins due to a blatant shepherd run.
It seemed apparent that this wasn’t going to be the Manly fullback’s day though, when just two minutes later the hometown hero was denied yet again, this time brought down inches short by the desperate Warriors defence.
New Zealand took their slender 6-0 lead to the main break, after some fantastic goal line defence in the dying stages denied the home side an all important four pointer.
Manly were denied their fourth try of the afternoon in the 46th minute, when winger Michael Robertson was ruled to have pushed his opponent out of the way in dotting down over the line.
Sea-Eagles winger Chris Hicks finally got the home side on the board in the 54th minute, after a looping cut out pass was flicked by Stewart out to Hicks to score in the corner. Jamie Lyon was able to convert from the sideline and the home side seemingly lifted at 6 all.
An impressive set of six from the resulting kick off saw Manly regain a repeat set, and Stewart finally crossed for his 31st try in 31 games at the Brookvale fortress to put the home side up 10-6.
The Warriors Michael Luck gave away a crucial penalty in the 69th minute, and Jamie Lyon slotted the extras to put the home side up by a converted try.
Manly look home and hosed with eight minutes left when makeshift half Michael Monaghan slotted a 25 metre field goal.
Simon Mannering gave the visitors some hope with a try in the corner that only the Warriors could have scored, as they passed from sideline to sideline to put the visitors within three points with less than a minute remaining.
However the home side held on for a gutsy victory considering their injury toll, with Manly firmly entrenched in the top four after a perfect start to the season. They now meet the rejuvenated Canterbury Bulldogs at Telstra Stadium next Saturday night, whilst the gallant Warriors return home to Mt Smart Stadium to meet the North QLD Cowboys next Sunday.
Manly Sea-Eagles 13 (Chris Hicks, Brett Stewart tries; Jamie Lyon 2 goals, Michael Monaghan field goal)
Defeated
New Zealand Warriors 10 (Tony Martin, Simon Mannering tries; Tony Martin goal)
At Brookvale Oval
Manly Sea-Eagles VS NZ Warriors @ Brookvale Oval, 8/04/07
If the weather stays fine at Brookvale this afternoon, than this could be one of the most exciting games of the season, as two of the quickest, most lethal backlines clash head to head in an important battle for two competition points.
While Manly are so far undefeated in the competition, the Sea-Eagles have not really been tested in their victories against Canberra, Wests and the Sydney Roosters.The Sea-Eagles team has struggled in the early exchanges, only putting their opposition away in the final quarter of matches.
They face a tough test today in their clash with the under rated New Zealand warriors outfit, who have shown touches of promise in winning two of their three opening victories thus far. The Warriors were impressive in easily accounting for the Eels and broncos in successive weeks, but seemed to be lacking intensity in their patchy display against the Storm last Sunday.
The clash between two of the most exciting fullbacks in the competition will be memorable, with Manly's Brett Stewart looking to add to his impressive record of 30 tries in games at his home ground.
In a close but high scoring match, I am going for a Warriors victory on the back of their imposing forward pack getting on top of the home sides pack of toilers. While Manly have scored 14 tries thus far this eason, they still don't look as if they have enough points int hem to compete with the Warriors.
Manly Sea-Eagles –
Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Steven Bell, Jamie Lyon, Chris Hicks, Travis Burns, Michael Monaghan, Jason King, Matt Ballin, Brent Kite ©, Anthony Watmough, Glenn Stewart, Luke Williamson
Bench - George Rose, Mark Bryant, Glenn Hall, Clint Halden
New Zealand Warriors –
Wade McKinnon, Michael Crockett, Tony Martin, Lance Hohaia, Manu Vatuvei, Michael Witt, Grant Rovelli, Ruben Wiki, Nathan Fien, Steve Price ©, Simon Mannering, Logan Swann, Micheal Luck
Bench – George Gatis, Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki, Sam Rapira
Referee - Ben Cummins
Oracle of Delphi
KC Hill
Arnold
Paladin
Craig Hill
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