Match Report: NSW Cup Round 11 vs Bulldogs

Three first half tries and a 16-4 deficit at half-time had the Sea Eagles well and truly on the back foot.

But a strong second half performance, with four tries, and keeping their visitors scoreless for the remainder of the match saw the boys in maroon and white walk away with a gutsy win and a much needed two competition points.

The win is the side’s first since round five and snaps a four-game losing streak.

The Bulldogs scored two quick tries in the opening 11 minutes to shoot out to a 12-0 lead.

After being on the back foot for the start of the match, the Sea Eagles hit back with a try through winger Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega in the 17th minute.

Captain Jake Arthur threw an inch-perfect cut-out pass to the winger, who bumped off the defence to score in the corner and cut the deficit to 12-4.

A mistake early in the attacking set gifted the Bulldogs their third try three minutes later, with winger Cooper Toy scoring to push the lead out to 16-4.

Manly began the second half in fine fashion with a try in the 44th minute to Semisi Kioa.

A flat pass at the line from Arthur sent the centre over for a try and brought the home side back within touching distance at 16-8.

The Sea Eagles continued to build momentum when Clayton Faulalo forced his way over in the 51st minute for his side’s third try.

The full-back took a simple pass from five-eighth Brandon Wakeham and fooled the defence with his footwork before barging through to score for a 16-12 scoreline.

Manly kept their foot on the pedal en route to their third try in 15 minutes when winger Charlie Thompson dived over in the corner.

Arthur bagged his third try assist with a phenomenal cut-out pass to send the winger over, to have the scores tied at 16 apiece with 20 minutes remaining.

The visitor’s chances of two competition points continued to slip when Grossemy was sin-binned in the 62nd minute for a late shot, handing the Sea Eagles a high chance at walking away with a win.

Manly took the lead for the first time in the match five minutes later thanks to a converted penalty goal from 20 metres out by second-rower Aaron Schoupp for the final scoreline of 18-16.

The Sea Eagles open Round 12 of the NSW Cup when they take on the Parramatta Eels on Friday May 23, 5:30pm, at Commbank Stadium in Parramatta.