Broncos beat Sea Eagles 44-10
Wayne Cousins
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles suffered a 44-10 loss to Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium tonight in round 13 of the Telstra Premiership.
The Sea Eagles welcomed back half-back Daly Cherry-Evans from a shoulder injury, resulting in Kieran Foran moving back to five-eighth, Jamie Lyon to centre, and Peta Hiku to wing. Tom Trbojevic dropped back to the U20s.
The Broncos opened the scoring in the second minute when Justin Hodges scored after Steve Matai spilt a crossfield kick. Jordan Kahu failed to convert the try for a 4-0 lead.
Brisbane went to an 8-0 lead after half-back Ben Hunt scored from a pass by Manly Warringah winger Jorge Taufua that saw the ball hit the ground and despite two Sea Eagles players present, Hunt somehow found the ball to dart over the line. Hunt converted for a 10-0 lead.
It became 14-0 when Brisbane winger Daniel Vidot scored in the left corner in the 23rd minute. Hunt failed to convert the try.
Brisbane five-eighth Anthony Milford showed how dangerous he is 10 metres out when he weaved past four defenders to score. Hunt converted the try for a 20-0 lead after 35 minutes.
Manly Warringah opened their account when quick hands by halves Cherry-Evans and Foran saw winger Peta Hiku cross over. Lyon converted to leave the Sea Eagles trailing 20-6 at half-time.
2nd Half
The margin was reduced to 20-10 when Cherry-Evans split the defence before kicking crossfield for full-back Brett Stewart to score a fine try in the 46th minute.
The Broncos stretched their lead to 22-10 when Hunt converted a penalty kick for accidental offside in the 49th minute.
Vidot grabbed his second try when he finished off a nice backline play for a 26-10 lead in the 57th minute. Hunt failed to convert the try.
A grubber kick through by Brisbane centre Jack Reed saw Milford swoop on the ball to score his second try for a 30-10 lead. Hunt converted for a 32-10 lead after 60 minutes.
Reed was then rewarded himself when full-back Darius Boyd hit a hole to send his centre over for a 36-10 lead in the 66th minute. Kahu converted for a 38-10 lead.
Kahu finished the scoring off for the night with a try behind the posts. He converted his own try for the 44-10 scoreline.
The loss leaves the Sea Eagles on the bottom of the ladder heading into their second bye next weekend. Manly Warringah will play Wests Tigers at Brookvale Oval next on Friday, June 19.
