Manly Warringah Sea Eagles recorded a gutsy 18-12 victory over the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium tonight in round five of the Telstra Premiership.
In a match played in front of a crowd of 12, 376, the scores were locked at 6-all at half-time and then 12-all before a late try to Dylan Walker gave Manly their third straight win of the season, and inflict the Roosters’ first defeat for 2017.
A penalty goal to centre Dylan Walker saw the Sea Eagles take a 2-0 lead after nine minutes before the Roosters crossed for the opening try six minutes later when winger Shaun Kenny-Dowall dived over for a try. Full-back Michael Gordon converted for a 6-2 lead to the Roosters.
The Sea Eagles drew level in the 18th minute when an offload by lock Jake Trbojevic saw full-back Tom Trbojevic send a floating pass out for winger Jorge Taufua to cross for a 6-all scoreline. Walker failed to convert the try.
The scores remained that way to half-time in a tight first half battle.
Second Half
The first 25 minutes remained a torrid affair with no real try scoring opportunities for both sides.
However it was the Sea Eagles who took a 10-6 lead when a short grubber kick by five-eighth Blake Green saw Walker fly through to score. Walker converted his own try for a 12-6 lead.
The Roosters drew level at 12-all when half-back Mitchell Pearce took the line on to score next to the posts. Gordon converted the try in the 71st minute.
Both sides then had a field goal attempt each before Walker sealed victory when he ran off a pass from centre Brian Kelly to race 40m to score in the corner. He converted his own try for the 18-12 scoreline.
Round 6
The Sea Eagles play St George-Illawarra Dragons at Lottoland on Saturday, April 8, at 3pm.
Ticket offer: General Admission $50 family (2 x adult & 2 x junior) pre purchase ticket offer available for round 6 only.
Tickets can be purchased here - http://bit.ly/EaglesDragons
