Match Report: Jersey Flegg Cup Round 7 vs Raiders

The boys in maroon-and-white held on in the first half with a 20-18 scoreline at the break setting up an entertaining second half.

But it wasn’t to be, with Canberra dominating with six tries to Manly’s one for a 32-point victory at Raiders Belconnen.

The Sea Eagles started the match off in the best way possible with a try after just five minutes through Munga Baruani. Five-eighth Callum Dowell beat three defenders and threw a cut-out pass metres from the line to Baruani who dived over in the corner for an early 6-0 lead.

Manly’s lead was short-lived though, with the home side hitting back with quick back-to-back tries in the 11th and 15th minute through Mutua Brown and Regan Carr for an 8-6 lead.

After a quick period of being on the back foot, the Sea Eagles crossed once again as Max Hayley scored next to the posts to regain the lead. The second-rower took a simple pass from the ruck and beat a rushing defender to find a gap and score for a 12-8 scoreline.

Canberra didn’t sit back and quickly retaliated once again, with two tries in five minutes for a 20-12 scoreline.  Jake Clydsdale and Jai Purser scored in the 24th and 29th minute to give their side an eight-point lead.

The Sea Eagles created something from nothing and scored minutes before half-time to assert themselves back into the match. A wayward kick from half-back Travis May was allowed to bounce by the Raiders’ defence, freeing up space for Dowell to set up the try. The five-eighth took the ball metres out from the line, spun out of a tackle and popped the ball out wide to second-rower Hugo Hart who scored in the corner, cutting the deficit to 20-18 at the break.

In what was turning out to be a back-and-forth affair, the home side scored through Xavier Cacciotti after just two minutes in the second half to extend their lead to 26-18.

Another try three minutes later through Trae Bennetto and two more tries in the 51st and 56th minute through Bailey Sassall and Carr quickly propelled the Raiders to a 44-18 lead.

Manly fought back to score their fourth try in the left corner as Baruani crossed for a double. A quick shift to the left edge freed up space for Zachary Karam, with the centre providing the final pass to send Baruani over untouched for a 44-24 scoreline with 11 minutes to play.

The Raiders put the nail in the coffin with tries in the 74th and 79th minute for a final scoreline of 56-24.