Manly Warringah Sea Eagles suffered a 40-6 loss to Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park today in round 21 of the Telstra Premiership.
The Sea Eagles opened the scoring with a penalty goal in the seventh minute to winger Matthew Wright for a 2-0 lead from in front of the posts after five-eighth Blake Green was uplifted in a tackle by Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
A nice inside flick pass from Cameron Smith saw Jahrome Hughes charge over next to the posts. Smith converted for a 6-2 lead after 18 minutes.
Smith stretched the lead to 8-2 in the 27th minute through a penalty goal after Manly prop Addin Fonua-Blake was penalised for a swinging right arm on Storm half-back Cooper Cronk.
A beautiful cut out pass by Manly full-back Tom Trbojevic saw the ball find the chest of Wright to score. Wright failed to convert his try in the 30th minute for an 8-6 scoreline.
The Storm took a 12-6 lead into half-time when winger Suliasi Vunivalu crashed through Wright and centre Brian Kelly to score from dummy half in the 38th minute. The try was not converted.
Melbourne took a 16-6 lead when second-rower Joe Stimson scored near the posts. Smith converted for an 18-6 lead after 47 minutes.
A short kick crossfield by Cronk on the last saw the ball spilt by Kelly for Kenny Bromwich to score. Smith converted the try for a 24-6 lead with 23 minutes remaining.
Another inside pass from Smith saw centre Will Chambers score under the posts. Smith converted the try for a 30-6 lead after 71 minutes.
Smith then set up a try for Cronk when he put through a kick from dummy half after Tom Trbojevic made the tackle previously. Smith converted for a 36-6 lead after 74 minutes.
The Storm then crossed for their final try when winger Josh Addo-Carr stood up Tom Trbojevic to score in a 45 metre run for the 40-6 scoreline.
The loss leaves Manly in seventh place on 26 points.
Manly play the Sydney Roosters at Lottoland in round 22 on Sunday, August 6, at 2pm.
