Match Report: NSW Cup Round 10 vs Roosters

The Sea Eagles shot out of the gates early with three tries in the first 25 minutes with victory in their sight. Unfortunately, their completion rate and a handful of missed tackles led to a Roosters comeback and a missed opportunity at two competition points.

A quick shift through the hands and good support play in the 13th minute saw Manly half-back Joey Walsh score the opening try on the left edge for an early 6-0 lead.

A mountain of momentum and an accidental offside by the Roosters invited Manly for their second in the 20th minute. Prop Matthew Lodge took advantage and barged through off a tap from 10 metres out to score for a 10-0 scoreline.

The Sea Eagles were flying en route to another try four minutes later. A good tackle bust and cut-out pass from Walsh found winger Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega in the corner, who spun out of a tackle to score in the corner and extend his side’s lead to 14 points.

After being on the back foot for a majority of the first half, the Roosters broke through on the stroke of half-time to score through centre Kyron Fekitoa for a 14-6 scoreline at the break.

The Roosters carried their momentum into the second half and took a 30-14 lead thanks to five tries in a 22-minute period  through Ethan King, Ben Johnson, Max McCathie and Dominic Young.

A smart offload from Manly forward Zane Dunford metres out from the tryline sent full-back Charlie Thompson over in the corner untouched to cut the deficit to 30-20 with seven minutes remaining.

The Roosters put the final dagger into the Sea Eagles on the stroke of full-time as Makahesi Makatoa barged through the defence to score under the posts for a final scoreline of 36-20.

The Sea Eagles host the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at 4 Pines Park in round 11 of the NSW Cup on Saturday May 17, 4pm.