Manly Warringah Sea Eagles recorded a convincing 34-14 win over St George-Illawarra at Lottoland today in round 14 of the Telstra Premiership.
In front of a crowd of 8468, the Dragons led 8-0 early before Manly raced away to a six tries to two victory. It was Manly's first win at home over the Dragons since 2016.
The Dragons opened the scoring in the fifth minute through a try to half-back Ben Hunt. Five-eighth Corey Norman converted for a 6-0 lead.
Norman then converted a penalty goal from close range for an 8-0 lead in the 16th minute after Manly were penalised for offside.
The Dragons lost hooker and captain Cameron McInnes in the 22nd minute through concussion before Manly hooker Api Koroisau left the field two minutes later with a right foot injury.
Two minutes later, winger Reuben Garrick crossed for Manly from a grubber kick by half-back and captain Daly Cherry-Evans. Garrick failed to convert his own try from the sideline for an 8-4 scoreline.
It was a nice moment for Garrick with the Sea Eagles team wearing black armbands in support of their winger after his 10-year-old cousin, Kye Yates, died from a quad bike accident last weekend.
Manly drew level when centre Dylan Walker dived on a grubber kick from five-eighth Cade Cust to score in the 35th minute. Garrick converted the try for a 10-8 lead to Manly.
Half-time: Manly 10 Dragons 8
The Sea Eagles extended their lead to 16-8 when Garrick converted a try next to the posts from Jack Gosiewski after the second-rower burrowed his way over the line in the 45th minute.
A quick play the ball from Tom Trbojevic following a break into open space saw Cust dive over untouched to score in the corner. Garrick converted from the sideline for a 22-8 lead after 58 minutes.
Tom Trbojevic then laid on the next try for Manase Fainu when he split the defence open again to send the hooker over next to the posts. Garrick converted for a 28-8 lead in the 60th minute.
To cap off a fine game, Trbojevic regathered a chip kick from Matt Dufty to race 70 metres to score in the right corner in the 72nd minute. Garrick converted the try for a 34-8 lead.
The Dragons scored a late converted try to centre Euan Aitken for the 34-14 scoreline.
The Sea Eagles wore a special jersey for URM Community Round featuring the logos of Melanoma Institute of Australia and Bowel Cancer Australia on their sleeves.
