Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have snapped a five game losing streak in round nine of the Jersey Flegg Cup, walking away 24-4 victors over the Kaiviti Silktails this afternoon at Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation.
Match: Sea Eagles v Silktails
Round 9 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
10th Position
away Team
Silktails
12th Position
Venue: Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation, Sydney
Manly were forced to fight for their two competition points in what turned out to be a gritty affair. An 8-0 lead from two unconverted tries at halftime proved that, with the match ultimately being won thanks to three second-half tries.
The Sea Eagles pressured the Silktails early on and finally cracked their defence to score the opening try in the eighth minute. Centre Oliver Lawry bumped out of a tackle and sent winger Munga Baruani over in the corner for a 4-0 lead.
Manly continued to pressure the visitors and they were only able to hold out for so long as Baruani crossed for his second try of the day on the stroke of halftime.
A cross field kick by five-eighth Callum Dowell sat up perfectly for Baruani in the in-goal area to help his side take an 8-0 lead into the break.
The Silktails opened the second half with their only try of the match in the 47th minute. Winger Mikaele Senibua capitalised on a Manly mistake deep in their own half to score in the corner for an 8-4 scoreline.
Momentum quickly shifted back in favour of the Sea Eagles as they bounced back to score in the 54th minute through Captain Broden Konz. The lock combined with Dowell inside the ten-metre line off an inside ball and broke through the defence to score, extending his side’s lead to 14-4.
Two tries in the final ten minutes sealed a 20-point victory for Manly. Max Hayley crashed over in the 76th minute after a quick switch to the short side fooled the defence, allowing for the second-rower to go over untouched.
Manly scored their fifth try in the 79th minute through second-rower Jett Jackson thanks to some crafty footwork and smart kicking play.
Hooker Zaidas Muagututia broke through the defence with a grubber kick before quickly regathering and chipping the ball to the left edge. The ball trickled into the hands of Jackson who grounded the ball untouched for a final scoreline of 24-4.
The Sea Eagles take on the Sydney Roosters in Round 10 of the Jersey Flegg Cup on Sunday May 11, 3pm, at Wentworth Park.
