Match Report: Jersey Flegg Cup Round 8 vs Dragons

The Sea Eagles held the lead for 42 minutes but were unable to hold on in the end, with three second-half tries proving to be too much.

This loss is the team's fifth straight after a strong start to the season, in which they won their opening two games over the Rabbitohs and Warriors.

An early penalty against the Dragons for accidental offside gifted the Sea Eagles an opportunity in the fourth minute, which was taken shortly after.

Aymn Hamilton dived over in the corner for the opening try of the match after a spectacular cut-out pass from five-eighth Callum Dowell, sending the winger over for his fifth try of the year and a 6-0 lead.

The Dragons blew a simple chance in the tenth minute when winger Toby Rumble dropped the ball uncontested metres out from the line as the Sea Eagles breathed a sigh of relief.

Both side’s continued to push for the next points in an error-riddled first half.
Manly had a missed opportunity in the 29th minute when Brendan Couzens deflected a dropped pass en route to a near 40-metre effort.

The centre kicked the ball along the ground twice to beat the chasing defenders and had the tryline in his sight. Couzens was dragged down by Dragons half-back Kade Reed, who tackled him without the ball, resulting in him being sent to the sin-bin.

Despite being a player down, the home side finally broke through in the 35th minute with a try to Charles Heidke. A tackle break and a smart offload out of the tackle from Dragons’ full-back Wesley Pring freed up space for Heidke to go over untouched.

The conversion was unsuccessful, giving the Sea Eagles a two-point lead heading into half-time.

Manly shot out of the gates in the second half with a try after just one minute.

Winger Munga Baruani did well to take the ball in front of his own tryline, keeping the play alive before passing to centre Matari Donovan.

Donovan passed to second-rower Hugo Hart in his own half before he raced 60 metres down the sideline to score in the corner and extend his side’s lead to 12-4.

The jubilation of the side’s second try was short-lived as the Dragons went on to score two quick tries in an 11-minute period to take a 14-12 lead.

Heidke crossed over in the 45th and 56th minute to complete his hat-trick. His second try came from a grubber kick to the in-goal area and his third was a full field effort following a deflected grubber kick in front of his own tryline.

Another accidental offside gifted the Sea Eagles a penalty in the 65th minute in front of the opposition’s tryline.

Rather then continuing the attack, they went with the safe option and tied the game at 14-all following hooker TJ Herring’s successful conversion.

Both teams were chucking everything they had at each other with 15 minutes to play, with one hoping to walk away with the two competition points.

The Dragons broke through with a try in the 71st minute as Pring scored next to the posts. The full-back took a pass inside the ten-metre line and fooled the defence with some crafty footwork to score for a 20-14 scoreline.

Manly regained possession shortly after following a short kick-off. Despite the opportunity, the side were unable to capitalise as they turned the ball over after a poor kick choice on the last tackle.

The Sea Eagles’ final chance came in the last minute but it was too little too late, with the Dragons holding on to collect the two points.

Manly host the Kaiviti Silktails in Round 9 of the Jersey Flegg Cup on Sunday May 4, 12pm, at Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation.