To celebrate our 70th Year Anniversary in 2016, we today continue ‘Our Proud History’ series. The Sea Eagles were granted entry to the 1947 NSWRL first grade competition on November 4, 1946.
What was Manly’s biggest ever win on this date, April 20?
It came in round 6, 1991, a 46-12 victory over Canberra Raiders at Bruce Stadium in Canberra.
Three Sea Eagles players scored two tries each – full-back Matthew Ridge, and centres Michael O’Connor and David Ronson. Tony Iro also crossed for Manly.
Ridge had a big day out, kicking nine goals from nine attempts to go with his two tries for a personal tally of 26 points.
A former NZ Test full-back, Ridge scored 32 tries and kicked 477 goals (from 599 attempts) in 122 games for the Sea Eagles.
He also kicked 11 field goals for a club total of 1093 points from 1990-96. Ridge sits fourth on the list for most points for the club.
Manly team: 1 Matthew Ridge, 2 Frank Stokes, 3 David Ronson, 4 Michael O’ Çonnor (c), 5 David Liddard, 6 Cliff Lyons, 7 Geoff Toovey, 8 Martin Bella, 9 Matt Dunford, 10 David Hosking, 11 Tony Iro, 12 Ian Roberts, 13 Des Hasler, reserves: 14 Owen Cunningham, 15 Chris White, 16 Glenn Bourne, 17 Michael Pechey, Coach: Graham Lowe.
On this day in our history, April 20
Rd 3, 1963: North Sydney 23 d Manly 16, North Sydney Oval.
Rd 5, 1975: Parramatta 19 d Manly 4, Cumberland Oval.
Rd 4, 1980: Western Suburbs 19 d Manly 4, Lidcombe Oval.
Rd 7, 1986: Western Suburbs 30 d Manly 20, Lidcombe Oval.
Rd 8, 1987: Cronulla-Sutherland 18 d Manly 13, Endeavour Field.
Rd 6, 1991: Manly 46 d Canberra 12, Bruce Stadium.
Rd 7, 1997: Manly 22 d Newcastle 8, Brookvale Oval
Rd 6, 2003: Manly 20 d Melbourne 14, Brookvale Oval.
April 20 record: Played 8, won 3, lost 5.
Click here for April 19 history.
