Sea Eagles out to build on special win over Rams

It was the performance that could well make the season one to remember for the Manly Leagues team in the Sydney Shield.

The Sea Eagles experienced the highs and the lows in recording a nail-biting 32-28 win over the Moorebank Rams in round eight at Blacktown last Sunday.

The highs came after a brilliant first half performance that saw Manly Leagues run in five first half tries to lead 26-0 at the break.

Then, the lows came when the Rams fought back hard to get within eight points after 60 minutes.

It was Manly Leagues' second straight win and their third in six games under Coach Anthony Watmough to remain in sixth spot in their first season in the Sydney Shield. 

Watmough said he was impressed with how the team controlled the game in the first half.

"We got in the correct field position and knew when to play and when not to play. It was probably our best 40 minutes of the season,'' Watmough said.

"Unfortunately, we went from completing at 87 per cent in the first half to 50 per cent in the second half, so that was disappointing.

"Our senior players let down our younger guys by putting us under so much pressure.

"Still, to get that win against a solid Rams team was a massive victory for us. 

"We went in with a forward pack that barely played a game together. We lost our two starting front rowers from the week before. 

"We had Miles Edler start in the front row where he has never played before. We had two SG Ball props play against a big physical pack and they more than held their own.

"I was very proud of the boys to turn up and play like they did against seasoned footballers."