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 visitors 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 Haynes feet, enabling Manlys Michael Bani to scoop up the loose ball and score in the corner.
Matt Orfords 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 Burts 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 LEstrange, 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 LEstrange
Goals: Matt Orford 2
defeated
Parramatta Eels 16
Tries: Chad Robinson, Luke Burt
Goals: Luke Burt 4
At Parramatta Stadium
Referee Shayne Hayne
There has been a host of NRL club signings over the past couple of days, so here is a rundown on the latest news.
- Wests Tigers winger Ben Jeffery today signed a two year deal with the Gold Coast Titans as of next season, while North Queensland winger Brenton Bowen will link up with the Coast team for the next two seasons.
- Melbourne Storm hooker James Aubusson signed a three year deal with the Sydney Roosters today, linking up with his brother Mitch as of next year.
- Representative forwards Anthony Watmough and Brent Kite have today re-signed to long term contracts with the Manly Sea-Eagles. NSW Origin prop Kite signed on until the end of the 2011 season, whilst Watmough has been secured until the end of 2010 season.
Oracle of Delphi
KC Hill
Arnold
Paladin
Craig Hill
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