Manly Warringah Sea Eagles suffered a 38-6 loss to Nth Qld Cowboys in round 12 of the Holden Cup at 1300SMILES Stadium in Townsville tonight.
The Sea Eagles went into the match missing exciting full-back Tom Trbojevic who was called into the NRL side to replace the injured Feleti Mateo. Nicholas Hynes was called into the side as his replacement.
The Cowboys opened the scoring in the 19th minute when winger Scott Schultz crossed in the right corner on the back of a strong break by prop Viliame Kikau. The try was not converted for a 4-0 scoreline.
Five minutes later, the Cowboys were in again when lock Kieran Quabba crashed over next to the posts. Half-back Cooper Bambling converted for a 10-0 lead.
The home side stretched the lead to 14-0 in the 31st minute when winger Gideon Mosby scored off a crossfield kick
The Cowboys took a commanding 18-0 lead a minute before half-time when centre Conor Carey dived over behind the posts. Bambling converted the try for a 20- lead at the break.
2ND Half
A nice backline play to the left resulted in the Sea Eagles scoring their first try when full-back Nicholas Hynes crossed over in the left corner. Hooker Hugh Pratt converted to leave the visitors trailing 26-6 after 60 minutes.
Schultz went over for his second try in the 72nd minute when he finished off a backline raid in the right corner. Bambling converted for a 32-6 lead.
It became 36-6 when Bambling swooped on a drop ball to race 80 metres to score in the right corner. The left footer converted his own try for a 38-6 lead after 77 minutes.
The loss leaves the Sea Eagles on 13 points and in sixth position subject to weekend results. The Cowboys remain in third place.
