Manly Warringah Sea Eagles suffered a 32-18 loss to North Sydney Bears at Brookvale Oval today in Round 20 of the Intrust Super Premiership.
In a very tough afternoon for the home side, the Sea Eagles saw halves Pita Godinet (neck) and Isaac John (concussion) stretchered off through injury. Both did not return. Manly lock Jamil Hopoate scored a hat-trick.
The Sea Eagles enjoyed a wealth of possession in the opening seven minutes through consecutive penalties and a repeat set but it was to no avail as the Bears defence held firm.
It was the Bears who opened the scoring through a try to centre and captain Ed Murphy for a 4-0 lead after 14 minutes.
The Sea Eagles drew level three minutes later when lock Jamil Hopoate scored under the posts. Second-rower Dylan Kelly converted for a 6-4 lead.
Norths then went to a 20-6 lead after three quick tries to full-back Latrell Schaumkel, winger Abbas Miski and a second to Murphy after 33 minutes.
Murphy then grabbed his third try of the game with a try right on half-time to give the Bears a 24-6 lead at the break.
Second Half’
The Sea Eagles started the second half off well with a second try to Hopoate off a good offload by Rhys Armstrong. Kelly converted to leave Manly trailing 24-12 after 50 minutes.
Manly were then left a man short for 10 minutes in the 55th minute when Liam Knight was sent to the sin bin.
Norths capitalised on the extra room when Miski scored his second try a minute later for a 28-12 lead.
The Sea Eagles then lost John with concussion. Murphy grabbed his fourth try when he dived over in the right corner for a 32-12 lead after 65 minutes.
Hopoate then scored his third try when he brushed off a defender to score near the posts. Kelly converted for a 32-18 scoreline.
The loss leaves the Sea Eagles in second last place on 12 points,
Manly will play the bottom place Newcastle at Brookvale Oval next Wednesday night at 6pm in a catch up match in the Intrust Super Premiership.
Manly Warringah
1 Peter Schuster, 2 Cameron Davis 3 Jerry Key, 16 Halauafu Lavaka, 5 Ben Fritz, 6 Isaac John, 7 Pita Godinet (c), 8 Liam Knight, 9 Hugh Pratt, 10 Fabian Goodall, 22 Rhys Armstrong, 12 Dylan Kelly, 13 Jamil Hopoate; Interchange: 14 Daniel Vasek, 15 Moses Noovao-McGreal, 21 Clint Maguire, 23 Ezra Howe.
North Sydney
1 Latrell Schaumkel, 2 Latrell Robinson, 3 Michael Oldfield, 4 Ed Murphy (c), 5 Abbas Miski, 6 Sitiveni Moceidreke, 7 Eli Levido, 20 Cameron Murray, 9 Brad Deitz (c), 10 Zane Musgrove, 11 Jack Gosiewski, 12 Patrice Siolo, 13 Clayton Williams; Interchange: 14 Fred Junior Mauala, 16 Jamel Hunt, 17 Logan Houghton, 23 Piki Rogers
