Parramatta have produced one of the upsets of the season to down Manly 22-12 at Parramatta Stadium on Friday night.
The Sea Eagles gave up a 12-point half time lead to fall to their traditional rivals in a match which provided plenty of entertainment.
The Sea Eagles set the foundation with an almighty defensive display to keep the Eels scoreless at the break. Camped in Manly’s half for most of the first 40 minutes, Parramatta were unable to find a chink in the Sea Eagles armor as they were denied time and time again.
But what came in the second half would have had Manly coach Geoff Toovey furious. In the space of 11 minutes, the Eels went bang, bang, bang in a remarkable block of play to lead 18-12 with the match approaching its hour mark.
Jorge Taufua waited just three minutes to get his side on the board as he polished off a slick move down the left edge for Manly to take an early lead.
The Sea Eagles had to wait a little longer for their next four-pointer as the Eels gained momentum and dominated field position.
Forced to defend their line for most of the opening half, the Sea Eagles held out a potent Eels outfit to lay the platform.
A Parramatta drop ball deep in their own half gifted Manly golden field position as they went on the attack and capitalised through Peta Hiku, who dived over in the corner for his 17th try of the year.
Jamie Lyon then booted the Sea Eagles 12-points clear after slotting a penalty goal on half time. However, whatever Parramatta coach Brad Arthur told his troops at half time must have provided the spark, with the Eels scoring 22-unaswered points.
Ken Edwards igniting the flare with a tenacious run to muscle his way over the line. Semi Radradra then ran 100 metres from a Manly bomb before former premiership-winning Sea Eagles William Hopoate put his side 18-12 in front with a try from close range.
The Eels then sealed victory with a late try to Vai Toutai in the 74th minute.
