Manly Warringah Sea Eagles recorded a hard fought 28-16 victory over Wests Tigers at Lottoland today in round 19 of the Telstra Premiership.
The win moves the Sea Eagles into third place on the ladder on 26 points.
The match marked the 100th NRL game for Manly prop Martin Taupau against one of his former clubs, and was played on the third annual Golden Eagles Day in front of a crowd of 14, 128.
Lock Jake Trbojevic also backed up for Manly after playing for NSW last Wednesday night.
A beautiful short pass by Manly half-back and captain Daly Cherry-Evans saw second-rower Shaun Lane score his first try for the club untouched. Matthew Wright failed to convert from out wide for a 4-0 lead after seven minutes.
Three minutes later, a floating cut out pass from Manly full-back Tom Trbojevic saw Wright dive over for an 8-0 lead. Cherry-Evans took over the kicking duties from Wright but missed the conversion from the sideline.
Wests Tigers got on the board when forward Joel Edwards pushed off Frank Winterstein to score out wide. Five-eighth Tuimoala Lolohea converted for an 8-6 scoreline after 25 minutes.
The visitors went to a 10-8 lead when centre Esan Marsters scored after a grubber kick from Luke Brooks saw the ball bounce over the head of Manly centre Brian Kelly to score out wide. The try was not converted.
The score remained that way to half-time.
Second Half
Wests Tigers extended the lead to 16-8 when a grubber kick by Brooks saw the ball hit the goal pads for the half-back to score under the posts.
The Sea Eagles hit back when Wright produced a spectacular dive to plant the ball down for his second try. Cherry-Evans converted from the sideline for a 16-14 scoreline after 56 minutes.
Two minutes later, a superb solo run from winger Akuila Uate saw the Fijian flyer split the defence to race 35 metres to score behind the posts. Cherry-Evans converted for a 20-16 lead after 61 minutes.
A lovely inside pass fromn Cherry-Evans saw find Tom Trbojevic in the clear before the full-back gave the final pass for brother Jake Trbojevic to score under the posts. Cherry-Evans converted for a 26-16 lead with eight minutes remaining.
Cherry-Evans converted a penalty goal in the 78th minute for the 28-16 scoreline.
Manly play St George-Illawarra Dragons at WIN Stadium on Sunday, July 23, at 2pm.
