Manly Warringah Sea Eagles suffered a 30-26 loss to Melbourne Storm at Lottoland today in round seven of the Telstra Premiership.
In front of a crowd of 10,144, an incredible nine tries were scored in the first half. The match marked the 100th NRL game for Manly five-eighth Blake Green, ironically against his club from last season.
The Storm opened the scoring in the second minute when winger Suliasi Vunivalu dived over in the right corner for a 4-0 lead.
The Sea Eagles had a major injury scare minutes later when half-back Daly Cherry-Evans held his left shoulder but the captain played on for the rest of the game.
The visitors went to an 8-0 lead when centre Young Tonumaipea crashed over from five metres out. Cameron Smith converted the try from the sideline for a 10-0 lead after 10 minutes.
Vunivalu got his second try when he outleapt opposite winger Jorge Taufua for a 14-0 lead after 16 minutes.
Three minutes later, the Storm were in again when a break down the right flank saw winger Josh Addo-Carr score for an 18-0 lead.
The Sea Eagles got on the board when second-rower Frank Winterstein charged through full-back Billy Slater to score from five metres out. Dylan Walker converted to leave the Sea Eagles trailing 18-6 after 23 minutes.
Taufua reduced the margin when he got low to plant the ball down in the left corner. Walker converted for an 18-12 scoreline.
A fine ball by Slater saw second-rower Felise Kaufusi cross for a try. Smith converted for a 24-12 lead after 34 minutes.
The Sea Eagles then paid the price when Walker kicked the ball dead from the re-start. From the next set of six, Kaufusi dived over for his second try. Smith converted for a 30-12 lead.
The Storm looked set to take that score into half-but but that was until centre Brian Kelly slammed the ball down after the siren for a 30-16 scoreline at the break.
Second Half
The Sea Eagles got back to 30-20 when vice-captain and lock Jake Trbojevic scored in the 51st minute.
Manly then had a try disallowed two minutes later after the bunker ruled Kelly had lost the ball in-goal in trying to score in a tackle made by Slater.
A crossfield kick by Cherry-Evans saw winger Akuila Uate defuse the kick to pop a pass for prop Brenton Lawrence to score. Walker converted the try to leave the Sea Eagles trailing 30-26 after 67 minutes.
The loss leaves Manly with three wins from seven matches with the four losses being at Lottoland.
Round 8
Canberra v Manly, GIO Stadium, 6pm Friday, April 21.
