Caption: Half-back Pita Godinet fires a pass out against Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium today. Photo: Wests Tigers Media.
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles suffered a 34-16 loss to Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Sports Stadium today in the opening round of the Intrust Super Premiership.
The Sea Eagles fielded a strong side with several players with NRL experience such is the depth at the club this season.
Wests Tigers opened the scoring in the 29th minute when full-back Watson Heleta dived over from dummy half. Half-back Josh Drinkwater converted for a 6-0 lead.
The Sea Eagles hit back a few minutes later when the ball was spread left for winger Halauafu Lavaka scored in the corner. Hooker Hugh Pratt failed to convert for a 6-4 scoreline after 37 minutes.
Manly then lost five-eighth Tim Moltzen with a right wrist injury for the remainder of the game.
2nd Half
Wests Tigers winger Joshua Addo-Carr showed some pace in scoring under the posts. Drinkwater converted to give the home side a 12-4 lead after 45 minutes.
A drop ball from a scrum win by the Sea Eagles put them under pressure immediately, resulting in Wests Tigers centre Nathan Milone scoring a few plays later. Drinkwater failed to convert for a 16-4 scoreline after 52 minutes.
Wests Tigers centre Chance Peni crossed for two quick tries to extend the lead to 28-4 after 66 minutes.
The Sea Eagles hit back when Feleti Mateo stepped and dummied his way over near the posts. Dylan Kelly converted for a 28-10 scoreline after 70 minutes.
Addo-Carr scored his second try when he made a break down the left flank before chip kicking to regather to score for a 32-10 lead after 37 minutes. Drinkwater converted for the 34-10 scoreline.
Mateo then scored his second try on full-time. Kelly converted for the 34-16 scoreline.
Best for the Sea Eagles in a beaten side were Ben Fritz, Tony Satini, Josh Starling, Luke Burgess and Mateo.
Manly team: Ben Fritz, Halauafa Lavaka, Peter Schuster, Tony Satini, Fabian Goodall, Tim Moltzen, Pita Godinet, Josh Starling, Hugh Pratt, Brenton Lawrence, Feleti Mateo, Tom Symonds, Liam Knight; interchange: Daniel Vasek, Luke Burgess, Rhys Armstrong, Dylan Kelly. Coach: Luke Williamson.
