Manly Warringah Sea Eagles recorded a last minute 18-16 victory over Parramatta Eels at Brookvale Oval today in round 24 of the Holden Cup competition.
The victory lifted the Sea Eagles from fifth place to fourth with two rounds remaining. Manly Warringah went into the match without strike full-back Tom Trbojevic (knee injury).
Following a tight first 15 minutes, the Sea Eagles opened the scoring when centre Jesse Ramien found some space to score out wide for a 4-0 lead. Hooker Hugh Pratt failed to convert.
Ramien extended the lead to 8-0 in the 34th minute when he crossed for his second try. The scores remained that way till half-time.
2nd Half
The Eels hit back early in the second half with a try to full-back Bevan French. The try was converted by hooker Zach Docker-Clay to leave the visitors trailing 8-6.
Parramatta then took a 10-8 lead through a try to five-eighth Michael Doolan before a converted try to centre Tyrell Fuimaono saw the Eels take a 16-8 lead.
The Sea Eagle struck back when centre Addison Demetriou used his strength to crash over out wide. Pratt converted to leave the home side trailing 16-14.
The Eels looked set to hang on for a shock victory until Sea Eagles winger Jesse Bogle put a left foot kick up on the last tackle in the 78th minute for Demetriou to leap up to defuse the kick to score his second try for the 18-16 scoreline. Pratt failed to convert the try.
Sea Eagles team
1. Nicho Hynes, 2 Jesse Bogle 3 . Addison Demetriou 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Mitch Thomas 6. Will Pearsall (C) 14. Riley Travers 8. Liam Knight 9. Hugh Pratt 10. Nick Lynn 11. James Parker 12. Billy Bainbridge 13. Darcy Cox; Interchange 15. Jyi Seymour 16. Dallas Koen 17. Moses Noovao-McGreal 18. Luke Garner
